A Call for Vaccinations

Recently, many diseases that had been eradicated because of childhood vaccinations have been making an appearance. Health officials are concerned that diseases will spread and lives will be lost. Officials all agree that vaccinations will benefit the population. Some parents feel it is an infringement on the right to keep the children healthy and safe. Vaccinations should be mandatory for all children because it will prevent diseases from spreading, protect future generations, and save children and parents time and money.

Between 1924 and 2013, vaccinations prevented 103 million cases of polio, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis A, diphtheria, and pertussis (Bailey). Vaccinating is “the process by which pathogenic cells are injected into a healthy person in an attempt to cause the body to develop antibodies to a particular virus or bacterium—successful creation of antibodies is referred to as immunity to the disease caused by the particular pathogen” (Introduction to Should Vaccinations be Mandatory). Popular conflicts regarding vaccination include the worry that this form of immunization isn’t natural, the idea that vaccination schedule for children in the U.S. takes away parents’ rights to make decisions for their children, and the concern that vaccinations aren’t safe for all children. Most doctors and scientists advocate for vaccinations in the name of herd immunity, protection against foreign diseases and prevention against pockets of disease outbreaks. Vaccinations should be mandatory for all children in the United States for who they are deemed safe and effective.

Compulsory vaccinations are the right choice for society today, with the benefits vastly out weighing any associated risks. When a sufficient percentage of a society is vaccinated the risk for disease epidemic plummets greatly, unfortunately there is much misinformation about vaccines readily available to the

In similar fashion to government employees lobbying against climate change, there are special interest groups which promote the belief that vaccine’s cause Autism or are generally unnecessary. Despite all evidence to the contrary, in recent years support for the anti vaccine campaign has grown. Statistics from the last year indicate that one in ten United States citizens consider vaccines to be dangerous. However, it is this unfounded fear which may prove to be dangerous to the population. In recent years’ diseases which were once though to be rare in the United States have started infecting young children and other vulnerable individuals. While uncommon infectious diseases continue to emerge with greater frequency, more parents are opting not to vaccinate their children. Families choosing against vaccination may cite personal or religious reason and still enroll their children in public school while failing to meet state requirements. Up until now, this has not had a significant effect on public health due to herd immunity. Since majority of citizens being vaccinated, those who are not are still protected. However, as the public’s opinion on vaccination becomes increasingly negative, the percent of the population receiving vaccines may drop. If this were to occur,

One such factor helping to manifest these large-scale epidemics is a study from 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, which claimed that there was a direct link between autism and the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine (Smith 1). As a result, many parents refused to vaccinate their children out of fear, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles began reappearing more in both America and Britain, the place where Wakefield conducted his study (Cohen 2). Although a later investigation by the British Medical Journal discovered that Wakefield had distorted or altered the medical records of all twelve of the study’s participants and that he had been paid $674,000 USD by lawyers attempting to sue vaccine manufacturers, the atmosphere of apprehension surrounding vaccines is still strong among many individuals, and especially parents (Cohen 1-2). But despite all the controversy and the scientifically unsupported arguments of anti-vaccine sympathizers,

Although organizations are working hard to decrease a lack of childhood vaccines, there are still major barriers to their solutions. Along with a lack of funding and resources, parental beliefs are a dramatic barrier to solving the problem of vaccination disparity. Many parents distrust the vaccine information they are given or fear that their child will develop the illness through receiving immunizations (Niederhauser & Markowitz, 2007). In western society, some parents believe that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccinations cause autism due to a very unscientific study that gained ground with some outspoken celebrities and was thus unable to be stamped out by actual scientists and doctors (Downs, 2008). Another barrier is religious beliefs of some individuals. Some people believe that the healing of illness and prevention is solely up to God and they reject receiving vaccines (Haider & Bassa, 2014).

In recent years there has been a movement against giving vaccines to children, that now has nearly 40% of parents in the United States following along. But it is due to these vaccines that most children today have never experienced diseases such as polio or the measles such as their grandparents have. Since they have not seen these diseases, parents feel it is unnecessary to vaccinate them for fear of developing the possible side effects or because of reports they cause autism. However, these vaccines are critical for eradicating these deadly infectious diseases, and are vitally needed to keep them under control. Which makes it absolutely necessary that children who wish to attend school have mandatory vaccinations against diseases such as polio and measles, without exception. Therefor this paper will show the benefits of getting vaccinated far out weigh the risks such as potentially saving your child 's life, protecting your families, and saving your family time and money from enduring prolonged hospital stays. That the risks of getting the diseases such disfigurement, paralysis, even death, or the very serious threat posed to people with medical exemptions like those who are immunocompromised are worse than the side effects of the vaccines. And yes, vaccines do have side effects, but not one of them is autism, and there is ample scientific evidence to back it up. It is vital to everyone that the current laws for

In 1998, Dr. Andrew Wakefield and 12 of his medical colleagues published research claiming the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine was linked to causing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children (Rao et al., The MMR Vaccine). Though these claims have now been debunked, along with Mr. Wakefield’s medical certification, a new anti-vaccine movement has spiraled out of control in the United States. Influenced by the Wakefield publication, actress Jenny McCarthy fed the anti-vaccine fire when she claimed her son contracted autism after being vaccinated. Though the CDC and FDA have proven there is no link between vaccines and autism, many still believe this false claim ignited by McCarthy. Since then, parents across the country have advocated for vaccine-free children, even though it is required to attend public schools. Many believe their children’s immune systems are being negatively affected by the ingredients of vaccines, when really our immune systems adapt to vaccines to fight off diseases that at one time killed millions. Parents believe they are responsible for making their children’s healthcare decisions, and that the government should not have any say on what happens to our bodies. However, vaccination is not a choice, it is a civil responsibility. It is necessary to continue requiring vaccination to maintain herd

Preventable diseases are experiencing a startling resurgence in America. Just last year, California experienced an outbreak of measles, and 131 Californians were infected. At least 56 of these people had not been vaccinated, and would likely be unaffected if they had been. Measles was supposed to have been eradicated in 2000, but is now making a comeback a mere 15 years later. Why are measles and other such disease resurfacing in the U.S. after years of immunization and protection? Because some people believe that vaccines cause autism, a fallacy based on a flawed 1998 study performed by a doctor who has now lost his license. Parents who don’t immunize their children not only do themselves a disservice, but put the entire global community

“In the 1990s, when new vaccines were introduced, the media were obsessed with the notion that vaccines might be doing more harm than good” (Offit 1). Parents heard stories like, “too many vaccines given too soon… might overwhelm a child’s immune system” (Offit 1). Even though these stories were proven to be false, the damage had been done, parents were afraid of vaccines hurting their children. In most cases the virus is more dangerous than the virus. In the case of measles the risk of a brain disease “is one or two in 1,000,” (Siegel 2), and the risk of a brain disease from the measles vaccine “is one in 365,000” (Siegel 2). Parents need to think about what they would rather do, vaccinate their children and be immune to the disease or risk getting deadly diseases. Vaccine hesitancy shows how parents fears are ill-founded, examples of outbreaks from non vaccination also proves to parents that they should

In 1998 Andrew Wakefield released a paper linking the MMR vaccine to autism. This article caused panic among parents, leaving a trail of unvaccinated children. This trail eventually lead to a nationwide outbreak of the measles virus. This is the worst outbreak the US has seen since 1994. Even though Wakefield’s publication has been discredited, there are still parents that choose not to protect their children because of his study. These children not being vaccinated is hurting our nation by lowering our herd immunity. It should be mandatory for children to receive vaccines. Children should be vaccinated because the research is conclusive that vaccines do not cause autism, children benefit from the vaccines, and help protect others who cannot be medically vaccinated.

Vaccinations are injections of weak or dead germs of a disease. The body of the recipient is tricked into making antibodies against the disease, therefore building up their immunity to the sickness (Gard, 18). Immunizations are nothing new; the immunization method was first discovered in the late 1700’s when smallpox was an epidemic. A doctor named Edward Jenner noticed that when people caught the very similar but less deadly cowpox, they rarely contracted the smallpox disease (“History of Anti-Vaccination Movements”). Jenner infected a boy with cowpox, and then weeks later with smallpox. As expected, the boy did not catch the smallpox disease. Now, Over 200 years later, vaccines are widely accepted and even required for kids to attend school (unless the child has an exemption.) Richard Hoffman, a chief medical officer, even stated, "Vaccines remain the most effective tool we have for preventing disease and improving public health." (Gard, 18). However, despite the mass support, many parents don’t believe in vaccinations. These beliefs are based on speculative risks of autism, schizophrenia, ADD, and other disorders and diseases. Since commonly vaccinated diseases can be very dangerous and even deadly but the theorized ineffectiveness lead to other devastating consequences, the decision to vaccinate a child is a serious one. While a majority of people support that vaccinations have nearly ,eradicated illnesses, others believe that vaccines have negative consequences that

The safety dilemma regarding vaccines and the wavering confidence in the Centers for Disease has become both controversial and disturbing. “If an individual listened to and believed everything that they heard on talk shows or read on internet sites, they would never allow vaccinations to be given” (How Safe Are). Experts have shared many exaggerations and misconceptions without any scientific evidence to back up their claims. However, this leads individuals to believe that vaccinations are not the best line of defense for the fourteen serious diseases. Many feel that vaccinations contain harmful ingredients. Pharmaceutical companies just cannot be trusted according to some experts. One parent told me that she chose not to vaccinate her child for several reasons. These included “she did not agree with their being aborted fetal cells in some vaccines. Vaccines are flawed. Heavy metals are used in some vaccinations” (D. Oxby). The MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) and Autism issue has also become controversial. “1998 was the first year the United Kingdom dispensed the MMR vaccine, and shortly thereafter, a number of cases of autism appeared in Scotland” (Why I Believe). “During the 1980s, the statistics for autism in Britain and America were one in 2500. By 1998, it had jumped in the United States to

Protecting their children against harmful illnesses is one of many jobs a parent has. With advancements in medical technology, vaccines have been created to offer immunity against deadly diseases. For decades, children have been kept safe from receiving these vaccines in childhood. Many of the illnesses that once wreaked havoc in the United States have been eradicated. However, in recent years, many parents have become more fearful of these recommended vaccinations. A fear of debilitating side effects has overshadowed the fear of contracting potentially fatal diseases. As a result, fewer parents are vaccinating their children. With more and more parents declining childhood vaccinations out of fear of disability, once eradicated diseases are on the rise. Although there is scientific evidence providing no link between vaccinations and autism, parents remain skeptical. With the recent surge in preventable illnesses, it is important to keep children safe. When making the decision to decline vaccination, it is important that parents understand the facts, the statistics, and the potential consequences of refusing to vaccinate.

According to University of Washington School of Law, USA.(2004), the number of people who were antivaccination was increasing quickly in the United States. Vaccination became a controversial topic after the myths of “vaccines cause autism”. The internet and lots of websites compounded the blame. This led to an increasing number of parents refusing immunizations for their children and induced an interesting phenomenon: parents scared the consequence of vaccination more than the underlying diseases. There are few myths and reasons that people keep away from the vaccines. Mckeen and Bohannon (2016) gave four comprehensive reasons: religious reasons, personal beliefs or philosophical reasons, safety concerns, and a desire for more information from healthcare providers. Religion affects the core belief of the people which impose their views against immunization. For personal beliefs or philosophical reasons, people think vaccination is contrary to human intuition. They think natural immunity is better and more long term. For safety concerns, few myths emerge as people concern about the safety of vaccination. One of the myths is “vaccines cause autism”. It emerged in the 1998 Lancet publication by Andrew Wakefield and associates. (Falagas & Vatheia, 2016). In Wakefield's articles, he associated measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination and autism. He concluded “vaccines cause autism” only based on eight cases. However, the article was fully retracted in 2010 and the