The Benefits Of Childhood Vaccination

Many infectious diseases that once quickly spread and easily killed have been controlled or eradicated due to vaccinations. The efficacy of vaccines in reducing morbidity and mortality, particularly in children, is undeniable. Per the World Health Organization, childhood vaccinations prevent approximately 2-3 million deaths per year worldwide (WHO, 2016). In the United States, the value of immunizations is clearly displayed by comparing pre-vaccine era morbidity/mortality rates to post-vaccine era in regards to vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, prior to the diphtheria vaccine in the 1920’s, 206,000 people annually contracted the disease resulting in 15,520 deaths (History of Vaccines, 2009). However, between 2004 and 2014, only

Despite significant progress in the fight against preventable disease, millions still die needlessly each year. According to UNICEF, originally known as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, a vaccine preventable disease is responsible for 2 million fatal infections worldwide each year. About 75% of these deaths occur in children under five years of age. (N) In more vivid terms, UNICEF notes that vaccine-preventable diseases kill a child every 20 seconds. (D) Due to high rates of childhood vaccination, the United States has experienced a dramatic reduction in such deaths. A comparison of the years 1950 and 2010 clearly illustrates the benefits of vaccinations. During this 60-year period, deaths from diphtheria reduced from 410 to 0, tetanus from 336 to 3, pertussis from 1,118 to 26, and polio from 1,904 to 0. Measles deaths dropped from 468 in 1950 to 0 in 2008, the last year a United States death rate was recorded. It’s not surprising that vaccinations have been touted as one of the top ten health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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.

Childhood vaccinations in the United States has become a very controversial issue over the years whether it should be the parents’ rights or the governments right to require them. There are specific immunization schedules, all are important but the most important ones are the ones received during our childhood. Immunizations received during childhood have eradicated diseases such as measles and polio, they prevent outbreaks, contribute to the “herd” immunity and implications of future generations. Although, there are individuals who are against vaccinating their children due to not being properly educated on the safety of vaccines and believing in fallacious claims such as vaccination cause Autism and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Vaccinations are important for all ages but during childhood they are the most critical to the health of all individuals around the United States and the world. Childhood vaccinations are crucial to everyone, and it is important that children receive all scheduled immunizations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claim that immunizations are one of the most successful interventions in public health history (2015). The CDC is qualified to make this statement as research shows the vaccinations have eradicated smallpox and nearly eliminated the polio virus, in addition to diminishing the occurrences of preventable infectious diseases such as measles, diphtheria and whooping cough (2015). However, despite the statistics and research, in 2015, only 71.6% of the children between 19 and 35 months received the combined 7 vaccine series (CDC, 2015). This decline in vaccination rate can have devastating effects not only on the individual child, but also on the community, as a whole. Consequently,

By age 6, the majority of children in the United States receives inoculations for as many as 15 potentially life threatening or life crippling diseases. (cit2) As children are more prone to spread diseases due to immature hygiene knowledge and practice, all 50 states in our nation mandate children the age of five or older have completed vaccination series before entering into a public day care or school system. This requirement stems from a continued desire to contain and thwart many of these dangerous diseases from resurfacing into our society. By authorizing this law, the government hopes to protect the vast majority of our population and prevent dangerous outbreaks of deadly diseases occurring.

As humans we have a tendency to make decisions before completely rationalizing them thoroughly. Through science we now know that our frontal lobe, which is responsible for motor function, problem solving, memory, judgment, impulse control and much more does not fully mature until our late twenties. The average age to start having children is in our early twenties, (25 years of age or younger) not to mention the teen parents. Throughout childbirth, one question that needs proper judgment and consideration to make is, whether to have their children vaccinated. One barrier that can affect parent when making solid decisions about childhood vaccinations is the scientific terminology doctor and other people use. For example, when comparing the word vaccination to immunization sometimes people will use the terms interchangeably not realizing that they have two distant meanings. Vaccination is just that, a vaccine that that is administered to develop immunity, or immunization, to a specific disease. Childhood vaccinations are a crucial part to the development of children and their health, despite the barriers that are present. By introducing research to the community regarding possible risk factor, myths that are commonly associated with childhood vaccinations, and possible laws, the goal is to help people understand why all children should be vaccinated.

Vaccinating children has become an issue many parents are taking personally and debating on a regular basis. Several parents vaccinate their children, but do they really know what they are vaccinating for? Most vaccines are necessary for children to gain immunity. Immunity from severe diseases that are part of our history, such as: Measles, Polio, Pertussis, and Diphtheria are essential to everyone. Vaccinating for these serious diseases is a must to keep children healthy. However, history of the vaccine issue has been an ongoing topic for many years. But, most parents have not questioned vaccines until recently. The issue has changed over time since people have become more easily persuaded against vaccines. This has parents wondering how effective they really are, and if they are safe enough to distribute to children. Not to mention, the childhood diseases in question have not been around in decades. Parents want to understand the importance of prevention in something thought to be long gone. Above all, the importance of vaccines is significant in this country, and to all who live here. Furthermore, avoiding vaccines will leave the United States vulnerable to serious diseases, in which were once eradicated. Vaccinations are crucial to the regulation and the annihilation of fatal infectious diseases, not to just the child receiving the vaccine, but to all in the community. Thus, vaccinations should be mandated for all children in the U.S.

mother’s apathy toward caring for and bonding with the infant. Scientific studies have concluded that children of mothers suffering from postpartum depression were independently linked to lower cognitive test scores (Cogill, Caplan, Alexandra, Robson & Kumar, 1986).

Almost everyone has heard of the benefits and dangers of childhood vaccines. Parents are especially eager to do what is best for their child to protect him or her. Some people have different opinions on what the best specifically entails when it comes to childhood vaccines. Vaccinations are a controversial discussion as parents question whether it should be mandatory or optional when they feel the cons outweigh the pros. The government says it is the right thing to do for parents and their families to remain safe from illnesses and diseases. However, there have been opinions of opposition voiced by parents and health

Getting vaccinated helps tremendously to avoid getting life-threatening diseases. Immunizations not only spare children from horrible life-threatening diseases but also save lives. “In 1963 more than 400,000 Americans fell ill every year and thousands died” (Hand 1). When vaccines weren’t available at the time many as 100, 1 thousand and or 1 million people were very sick and dying. When vaccines arrived in 1967 Americans saw a tremendous change in the death toll, they saw 57,000 cases annually

Childhood vaccinations need to be mandatory because they ensure the safety of the public in which our societies can function in harmony knowing that everyone is treated and giving the opportunity to live a prolonged healthy life. For instance, imagine having your child vaccinated and healthy going to school interacting with all the other children. You don’t know the other children’s health or if they have their immunizations, all that we know for a fact that their is the possibility that your precious baby is socializing with another child who isn’t vaccinated and could have an potial disease. No parent in their right mind would want to imagine this scenario. The fear of uncertainty on what could happen when parents send their kids off to school

It is very important to vaccinate all Children, Teen, and Adults because immunization can save your life against more disease than ever before. Some of the disease that killed thousands have been eliminated completely because of begin vaccinated. For example Polio is one example that had a great impact on vaccines. Polio was once America’s most- feared disease causing death and paralysis across the county. Vaccinations are a safe and effective vaccines are only given Children, Teen, and Adults after careful review by scientists and healthcare professionals. Yes, some vaccines will cause some pain, discomfort, Redness, or even tenderness at the injection site. That is all minimal compared to the Pain, Discomfort, and Trauma a disease can cause.

Unvaccinated children are not only at great risk for dangerous infectious diseases, but they also pose a serious threat to the well-being of society as a whole. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children receive a series of twenty-four vaccinations, protecting against fourteen diseases, by the age of two. These are essential for additional immunization requirements later in life for attending public schools as well as a variety of occupations working with the general public. Parents should be required to follow these recommendations, without exception.

“Standard immunization currently averts an estimated two to three million deaths every year in all age groups” (“General Information”). Children along with adults should be vaccinated because these Inoculations prevent diseases, even deaths, from going around, along with keeping the environment a safer place. As people know, kids get vaccinated from the time born to about the time the child reaches teen years, although getting immunized does not precisely stop at any age. In fact, required vaccinations continue throughout the years. Of course these medical treatments must be tested in order to be given to anyone. In spite of the fact many people themselves argue that inoculations are not safe for children, others are thoroughly certain in