Personal Belief Exemptions Should Not Be Allowed When It

I have seen things on television and heard people talk about how mandatory vaccines are a violation of our personal liberties. On the flip side of that, if our children are properly immunized, we don’t have a constant threat of disease outbreak. Some of the controversy seems to be surrounding subjects such as how often to immunize, how young to begin, and how large of a dosage to give. I can understand many of the pros and cons and I find both sides intriguing.

To begin I wanted to research articles that explored the question. In “Ethics and Childhood Vaccination Policy in the United States” Kristin S. Hendrix discusses the flaws childhood vaccination policies have on ethical principles. Hendrix begins by addressing the resurgence of disease due to lack of immunization, and attributes it to differing vaccine attitudes and behaviors, and their influence on child immunization decisions. Hendrix argues that, “…vaccine-hesitant attitudes… may be driven by religious reasons, skepticism about science, or the influence of personalities she trusts on other matters” (Hendrix 273). She also acknowledges

To Vaccinate or not to vaccinate, has been a question many parents in America have been asking themselves for years. Some parents believe that it is their right to decide if their children will be vaccinated; while some states believe that all children should be vaccinated. There are logical and illogical reasons for this argument. There should be a federal law that requires parents to vaccinate their children because it will lower the number of deaths, benefit those children who have lower immune systems, and it can get rid of some diseases all together in the future.

Diseases and illnesses are studied constantly by doctors and scientists trying to find a cure for them. Plague and disease once ravaged our world killing thousands, with no hope or cure to prevent them from occurring. Today, however, is different. Technology is more advanced than ever, and people are living longer than ever before. Life expectancy in the United States has gone up by more than 30 years in the last decades. It isn’t by luck that many diseases now cease to exist, but through extensive studies, and research. The medical field is at the height of its studies with more people being cured of diseases than ever before. Most of this is to the credit of doctors and scientists developing vaccinations that help the body create antibodies, which help fight away diseases, and give the body immunity. I believe that forced vaccinations in children should be mandatory as they have the potential to prevent life threatening diseases, and save countless lives. Though many are against forced vaccinations and say they can cause mental illnesses or brain damage, this has not been proven. The rewards far out way the slight risk, if risk at all of the vaccination having side effects. The individuals who are not vaccinated are left vulnerable to illness, and can potentially infect those around them as well. Leaving scare of an epidemic, and wide spread of a virus. Forced vaccinations in the United States have been beneficial by preventing young children from contracting certain

According to the CDC (2014) vaccinations are one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases, some that can be deadly. Parents who choose not to vaccinate their children are not just gambling with their child’s life, they are also gambling with the lives of others. It is always better to prevent a disease than to have to treat it after it occurs. People with weakened immune systems are not as strong such as pregnant women, newborns, cancer patients, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive people, transplant recipients, and the elderly are also affected by the choice not to vaccinate.

In the United States, the law states that vaccinations are required for children entering school unless they have a valid reason that prevents them from receiving the vaccinations. Starting when children are born, they begin the regimen of vaccinations that continue throughout their adolescent years and adulthood. Each year children receive a variation of shots to protect them from the illnesses they will encounter in the world, especially once they attend school. The most common reasons parents forego getting their children vaccinated are religious beliefs, medical exemptions, and personal beliefs. Due to the rising number of parents declining to get their children vaccinated, the number of outbreaks of preventable diseases has increased. The question is now should parents/guardians be forced to vaccinate their children?

Many people refuse the vaccination process simply because of their religious views. In the article, Vaccinations and Parental Rights written by Sam Blumefeld, he talks about religions and belief systems that promote different perspectives towards objections to vaccines. An example is the belief that the body is sacred, and should not receive certain chemicals or blood tissue from animals, and should be healed by god or natural means. One of the most prominent views is, the Church of Christ also known as Christian Science. It’s believed that they can heal all things through prayer rather than through medicine. Therefore, many of these worshipers strongly oppose vaccinations. The article, Vaccines: A Religious Contentions states the different

I believe that parents shouldn’t have the right to decide if their kids get vaccinated. Kids that haven’t been vaccinated can get other kids sick The number of kids saved by vaccines is greater than the number of kids killed by vaccines. Vaccinations save kids, can eradicate a disease, and can benefit society economically. Vaccines have many benefits; therefore parents shouldn’t have the right to decide if their kids get vaccinated.

Over many years, we have gained more and more knowledge in the medical field. We have learned new information about diseases, cures, and technology that can be used to help our society stay healthy. Vaccinations are one of the ways doctors help prevent people from getting various diseases such as polio and the measles. However, some peoples’ beliefs and religions get in the way of them taking vaccines. Also, some parents believe that vaccinations are linked to autism and refuse to let their children get vaccinated. For many years, people have been having controversies over this subject, but I believe that we should require kids to have vaccinations to keep society healthy and stable.

As a mother it is my instinct to keep my daughter safe, therefore I feel like all parents should be required to vaccinate their children. I don’t believe we should have a choice. Vaccines have gotten rid of so many deadly diseases, if it wasn’t for them we could still have the black plague or small pox killing off our

The question is, should the government mandate vaccines? Those in favor of child vaccinations, believe that they are the greatest health developments of the 20th century. While those against them believe that a child’s immune system permits either a natural or acquired resistance to diseases than putting questionable toxic ingredients into a child’s body. In the US, 50 states require vaccinations for children entering public schools, though no mandatory federal vaccination laws exist. 50 states issue medical exemptions only (1), 48 states (excluding Mississippi and West Virginia) permit religious exemptions, and 31 states exclude Philosophical exemptions. (2)

“Opting out of vaccinations puts public health at risk and could lead to a resurgence of dangerous diseases” (USA Today 1). If parents decide to not vaccinate their children it may pose a risk to the public as well as their child. It is still debated that a parent should or should not have the right to decide whether their child is vaccinated. Parents should not have the decision to vaccinate their child or not because by not being vaccinated death is likely, the disease is easily transmitted to a child who is not of age to be vaccinated, and it is necessary to keep the public healthy.

Mandatory vaccinations in public school in my opinion play a major role in children’s lives. They are safe and effective, they protect others we care about, and will protect our future generations. Throughout the years there have been thousands and thousands of children’s lives lost due to outbreaks of diseases such as polio and the measles causing many deaths among young children. Vaccinations that have become effective over the years, limiting these diseases if not getting rid of them period are the most effective way to get rid of these diseases. However, there are still some parents that refuse to have their child/children vaccinated due to their own beliefs. In this passage you will find out how these mandatory vaccinations are

I agree with you as MA we have to respect the parents wishes regardless of what we think is right or wrong. Vaccination is a tough subject a lot of people believe there child could get a disease from vaccines. Some people just don't believe in vaccinating their children its their choose and we cant do anything to change their mind except give them information on vaccines so they can make a educated decision. I believe parents want for their kids to be protected from certain bacterial infections specially young children.

Parents all across the United States have an issue with vaccinations for their children. Parents as of today do not have the option whether or not to immunize their children. These vaccinations are potentially harmful for children, but they also help and prevent life threatening illnesses. Parents should be allowed to choose to vaccinate their children because at times, the vaccine might harm the child, and because the parents simply just have right.