Microbiology

There is growing concern among health officials that infectious disease outbreaks are on the rise and will continue to escalate in the United States. This upsurge is not due to climate change, globalization, zoonotic pathogens jumping species or antibiotic resistance. It is due to a rising number of parents electing not to vaccinate their children because they are questioning the safety of the vaccines. The evidence and the science of immunization are not adequately or effectively communicated by public health officials. Both factors contribute to this emergent health issue. The Frontline program you will watch presents both sides of the debate. You are then asked to use the knowledge acquired from the video and the module readings as well as your critical thinking skills to communicate the science supporting compulsory (with exceptions) childhood vaccinations to a young mother. You are challenged to defend and discuss immunization in the face of powerful social media and internet campaigns, public distrust of science and an absent historical memory of deadly, disfiguring and socially disruptive infectious diseases. Are you up for the challenge?