The fear of a link between vaccines and autism has created a major public health issue. An evidence-based meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies found that the components in vaccines (both thimerosal and mercury) or obtaining multiple vaccines at once (i.e MMR vaccine) is not associated with the development of autism spectrum disorder.

Marcella Bobinksy, Executive Director of the KV Foundation, compares National Immunization Survey (NIS) Numbers from two universal-select states and then compares one universal state to one universal-select state. She found that when medical providers have universal access to recommended childhood and adolescent vaccines, more children are vaccinated.

While all states have school immunization laws that grant exemptions to children for medical reasons, not all states grant exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) examines which states, as of 2019, have religious and philosophical exemptions.

Rebellion against vaccines isn’t new, it has been around since the 19th century after Edward Jenner created a vaccine for the smallpox virus. Anti-vaxxers during this time believed that mandatory vaccine laws impinged on certain amendment rights, such as freedom of speech.

The total cost for vaccinations includes more than just the vaccine itself. In fact, the cost of the vaccine is only a small portion of the total cost. There are vaccine product-related expenses and administration-related expenses.