In January, my daughter celebrated her second birthday. She ran around our apartment with cake on her face and a joyful grin. Pushing around in my wheelchair, I could not catch her, and it hit me again that I cannot run. I cannot even pick her up off the ground if she falls down. I can’t do these things because my legs are paralyzed from contracting polio as an infant in India.
My daughter did not face this risk because she was protected by the polio vaccine.
Today, more than any time in history, we are able to save children’s lives and prevent disabilities through the use of vaccines. Yet also today, the legitimate use of vaccines in the United States is facing new threats as more and more parents opt out of vaccination requirements, and vaccine opponents promote state laws that make it easier to do so.