Essay On Childhood Vaccination

Childhood vaccinations have not been a topic of controversy until recent times. Due to the recent outbreaks of diseases that were thought to be eliminated, people are now investigating vaccinations. State representatives and Congressional people have even gotten on the bandwagon to emphasize the importance of vaccinations. Many states already require children to be vaccinated before entering school, but states allow religious, medical, or personal exemptions. Getting rid of these exemptions would be beneficial to not only parents and children, but also to members of society. Having children vaccinated at a young age when the immune system can respond correctly to vaccines will benefit the future health of children. Children are more at danger at a younger age to catch infectious diseases. Vaccines are a safe way to prevent the child from getting sick. “Proponents say that vaccination is safe and one of the greatest health developments of the 20th century”

​Over the past decade, the concern among parents regarding the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccinations has become a concern in the United States and other countries around the world. A survey of physicians showed that 89% of the physicians who were surveyed reported at least one refusal of childhood vaccinations by parents each month (Gowda & Dempsey, 2013). Other researchers have noted that as many as 77% of parents have concerned about one or more of the childhood vaccinations that are recommended for children (McKee & Bohannon, 2016). However, organizations such as the World Health Organization (2017) note that not only are childhood vaccinations safe, the reduction in children receiving childhood vaccinations has brought back diseases such as measles that had been completely wiped out in the United States. It is clear that there are opposing viewpoints about childhood vaccinations that need to be understood and examined to determine which side has a better argument.

The MMR vaccine was designed to make the individual it was given to have a immunity or resistance to the following diseases; mumps, measles, and rubella. Over the years however, the number of people who had measles skyrocketed after it reached near extinction in 2000.1 Similar to this, the cases of the mumps disease have also risen in the past five years. However, it is not as much due to lack of vaccination, but more to being less effective in specific situations.2 Unlike these two diseases, the rates of rubella has gone down in the U.S. to about ten people per year.3 For the most part, these diseases cause cough, sore throat, itchy eyes and more. However, they each cause specific complications that can result in death. Since these diseases are still common today and affect the health of not only themselves, but the rest of the population, people are debating if the MMR vaccine should be required. Though this has always been a debate, it has resurfaced after recent outbreaks of specifically mumps and measles throughout America.

Vaccinations are something that is none around the world. It is supported in many countries but in others it is not. In the United States there is a constant controversy as to whether to vaccinate or not. Most parents in our society opt for the vaccination process to protect their children in any way they can. Although, many parents do not see it that way. The controversy of childhood vaccination spans back more than just a few years it goes back as far as the 18th century (Nelson) but the fact of the matter is childhood vaccinations have very few side effects, there have been very few lines between autism and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (“Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Vaccines”; Shea, Diekema), and when children come in to contact with diseases they are not vaccinated for it can cause nationwide pandemic (Nelson; “Should Any Vaccines Be Required for Children?”).

Any caring parent would want to protect their child from any harm. Vaccinations are and easy way to protect them from disease and other viruses. They will protect a child from polio, Hepatitis, and cancer. When provided with a safe and beneficial way to preserve our health, why wouldn’t we take advantage of that? People in the United States are taking advantage of the vaccination exemption status which increases out chances of an outbreak. We need to keep America safe, by vaccinating the future generation.

In today’s society they’re thousands of children that are not being vaccinated because of the unconcerning knowledge of the parents not knowing the side effects: long-term or short-term. A side effect is an harmful or unpleasant effect of a drug or a medical treatment. Babies and children are more than likely to experience an unpleasant effect due to their very weak immune system.Babies and children are not like the adults and the elders. When infants are born their immune system in not fully developed but the doctors vaccinate them to help fight the germs. Children are vaccinated for the same reason because it helps them fight bacteria and bad viruses. Babies and children should be vaccinated

Some People have expressed concern about vaccine safety. The fact is that vaccines save lives by limiting the spread of diseases. If you choose not to immunize, you are not only putting your kid at risk who has a high chance of getting it cause you don’t have the protection that the vaccine provides you are putting others at risk also. Getting vaccinated is a smart choice because it blocks out a lot of the diseases that try to enter your body so therefore you stay safer than if you didn’t have it. Most of the deadliest diseases that have affected children have been greatly reduced thanks to the help of the vaccines. Today we vaccinate 16 different diseases so that kids don’t have lifetime effects from getting all of these diseases. Through

Not only does the vaccination save the vaccinated child’s saves but it also saves other childrens lives as well. Along with saving lives vaccinations give children a longer healthier life as most doctors say. Vaccinations contain medicine that prevents and makes the body immune to the infectious disease or illness. Getting a child vaccinated is a smart choice which will only benefit the child in the future by protecting them from preventable diseases and illnesses. Most childhood vaccines are ninety percent to ninety nine percent effective when it comes to preventing disease and illnesses according to The American Academy of Pediatrics. But do not misunderstand me, vaccinations are not one hundred percent effective. However just like an Ohio mom states, she would rather be safe than sorry( LaGrand ). Even with some vaccinations not being one hundred percent effective it is still important to get it because it still protects the child from the specific disease or illness somewhat. Immunizations are almost nearly one hundred effective which means that a child who gets vaccinated has less of a chance of catching the preventable illness or disease than a child who is not vaccinated against it. With vaccinations protecting against chickenpox, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, measles, polio, rabies, and many other common illnesses, they have prevented many children already from simple illnesses as well as deadly illnesses. Medical discoveries are tremendous with all the different types of immunizations available for diseases and illnesses. Vaccinations stop preventable diseases and infections saving many children from illness. Immunizations protect children and allow them to have the opportunity at a longer healthier life, so if parents vaccinate their children they would be giving their children longer and healthier

Most of today's society imagines a “perfect life” graduating high school then college, finding your “dream” job, marrying the man of your dreams and finally having children. In today's society vaccinating your child has become a dilemma among young parents. One of the main reasons there is a dilemma is Autism is being linked to the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccinations. Doctors recommend everyone be vaccinated in order to protected from three potential illnesses. (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccine. (2014, September 11). Retrieved April 7, 2015.) The (MMR) vaccination is two series of shots. The vaccinations are recommended to be administered at a young age. The first series of shots is typically given between the ages of twelve

Most parents trust the government with the health of their children without doing their due diligence regarding childhood vaccinations. For the sake of their children, they need to take advantage of the informative and reliable sources that are available on the Internet and in public libraries regarding this topic. They will find that kids are being vaccine injured and even killed because of the toxins that are being pumped into their tiny bodies. Parents have been ill-informed, even misled, when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of childhood vaccinations.

In opening there are people who believe that vaccines should be mandatory towards ever person starting at the age of one and continues until eight teen years of age. Those people are wrong why would someone ever believes that it’s all right to inject babies with multiple harmful vaccines such as measles, mumps, rubella and many more. These types of vaccines can lead to serious health problems in the future or even as soon as later on that day of the child receiving these vaccines. Although some may say babies and older children need these vaccines to survive whom to say that they are right. There are multiple children out there that parents will decide not to allow their children to get certain vaccines because of the long-term effect it could have on their body.

“Prevention is better than cure.” This common statement could not relate any better than it does with the controversy surrounding the morality, effectiveness, and safety of childhood immunizations. The major argument is whether or not laws should be established to declare vaccination mandatory for all children. “The US food and Drug administration (FDA) regulates all vaccines to ensure safety and effectiveness,” (ProCon.org, 2012) therefor there should not be any reason to risk the health of any child. Vaccinating our children not only ensures their safety but also that of their future to come.

Furthermore, they believe that these illnesses are not serious. Not only parents, but also advocates for anti-vaccination are a huge voice in this heated debate. Whether the public understands and accepts important information in the debate will depend on both the communication skills, and the credibility, of the source. Vaccines are as safe as humans can presently make them. Yet as in any health intervention, some level of uncertainty will always remain (Clements). It is now the responsibility of the parents of these young children to make the pivotal decision in their young child’s life. To vaccinate or not to vaccinate is a question that many parents find extremely difficult to answer. However, once faced with the research and safety statistics surrounding the MMR vaccine, the answer may be clearer than once believed. Starting with the controversy of the presence of thimerosal, once further research is done the speculation over its presence and lack of safety can be dismissed entirely.

The pros and cons of children immunization is my topic because being in the medical field it is my duty and responsibility to educate parents about the vaccinations which child is receiving and be able to explain to the parents what the vaccination is for and how to protect their child from illness or deadly diseases. According to MedlinePlus website the meaning of immunization (vaccination) is a way to trigger your immune system and prevent serious, life threatening diseases.17

During the 20th century, the infectious disease death rate decreased from 800/1000 deaths to less than 100/1000 deaths. This is mainly due to the introduction of immunisation. Vaccination has clearly prevented millions of deaths over the last century; nevertheless, the anti-vaccination movement has grown significantly in recent years. Some of the reasons why people join this movement include the belief that vaccines don’t actually work, the belief that vaccines are unnatural and therefore unhealthy and the belief that vaccines contain toxins that cause bodily damage and neuropsychiatric problems (eg. Autism). This essay will discredit the beliefs associated with the anti vaccination movement through infectious disease statistics,