Vaccines are something that most of us regularly get. Yes, the needle hurts and your arm is sore afterwards, but it’s something that helps to build your immune system against harmful diseases like measles, mumps, or rubella. After the measles outbreak in Disneyland occurred last month, people have introduced the controversial debate: Are vaccines necessary for everyone?

“Having spent time in West Africa covering the Ebola outbreak, I saw how people hoped, wished and prayed for a vaccine — to no avail,” said chief medical correspondent at CNN, Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

Many people have been taking advantage of the opportunity to obtain a vaccine to help prevent diseases that others are suffering from in places like Africa and India. The main reason why people deny vaccines is because of the rising popularity of the anti-vaccine movement.

The anti- vaccine movement first became widespread when Jenny McCarthy came out saying that vaccines were the cause of her child’s autism. Since then, she has been a major activist towards the anti-vaccine movement.

“I do believe sadly it’s going to take some diseases coming back to realize that we need to change and develop vaccines that are safe,” said McCarthy. “Time Magazine’s article on the autism debate reports that the experts are certain ‘vaccines don’t cause autism; they don’t injure children; they are the pillar of modern public health.’ I say, ‘That’s a lie and we’re sick of it.’”

Truth of the matter is, vaccines have in no way been scientifically-linked to childhood autism or any other type of mental disabilities. While many who oppose say that vaccines are only full of toxins, the list of ingredients in the MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine includes: a live virus, aluminum, formaldehyde, thimerosal and mercury. When taken in a small dose, these ingredients help build your immune system to prevent bad viruses from harming your body.

“The anti-vaccination argument is often snugly wrapped in the ‘I love my kids’ sentiment. And, I find it, well, a little insulting,” said Gupta. “To suggest that anyone who vaccinates their kids doesn’t love them is a whole new level of lunacy. But here is the fact of the matter, for me. It’s not just because I love my kids that I vaccinated them – it’s because I love your kids as well.”