There have been some really poor documentaries related to vaccines in recent years – ones I won’t name them because of the misinformation they spread – so it’s been a breath of fresh air to see two documentaries this year that actually provide factual information about vaccines. The first is a high school student film, Invisible Threat, which did such a good job of providing accurate information that it aroused the ire of anti-vaccine advocates.
Clik here to view.
Screenshot captured from the preview for “Vaccines – Calling the Shots.”
And now PBS NOVA has aired a new documentary called “Vaccines – Calling the Shots,” which really dives headfirst into what the supposed “controversy” over vaccines has wrought. As the preview (which you can also view below) notes, the film “examines the science behind vaccinations, the return of preventable diseases, and the risks of opting out.”
Some of these same themes are present in the piece I wrote, “Two Countries, One Deadly Disease,” for NOVANext to accompany the documentary. I basically tell the story of the U.S. and the U.K. in terms of MMR vaccination rates and measles outbreaks since Wakefield published his fraudulent study in 1998, as well as the lessons both nations can learn from one another. The piece was challenging to pull together, but I’m pleased with it, so I hope you’ll check it out.
Also part of the package accompanying the film are a series of explainers written by my book co-author, Emily Willingham. Each one does a great job of discussing various concepts or issues related to vaccination, including topics I’m regularly asked about, so I’m including them below for easy reference. Check them out over the next couple of weeks as you have time, and I’ll bet you find yourself bookmarking them and sharing them with others.
What Drives Vaccination Rates?
If you want to join in on the Twitter discussion about the film and ideas it covers, the hashtag is #vaccinesNOVA. I spent some time tweeting out links with accurate vaccination information last night since a lot of misinformation was being tweeted with the hashtag. Hopefully as the conversation continues, that will change.
See the film trailer here: