Finally, there are negative effects of vaccines. The most common side effects of vaccines are mild cases of fever, nausea, and redness or swelling at the site of the injection (Kwok, 2011). Researchers are constantly working to improve the safety of vaccines by utilizing more inactive and killed vaccines (Kwok, 2011). However, since experimental trials do not catch all side effects since some only effect one per 10,000- 100,000 people (Kwok, 2011). Though the most common side effects are mild, the rare side effects are more dangerous. The rare side effects occur in roughly one in every 100,000- 1 million cases (Kwok, 2011). These side effects include fever-induced convulsions and severe allergic reactions (Kwok, 2011). As rare as they are, they do pose a significant threat to the safety of the individual. Researchers are continuously developing new vaccines that offer safe immunization.
As discussed with biological effects of vaccines, there are several factors that come into a consideration when a person decides to receive a vaccination. Some of these factors include religious and personal beliefs, as well as general mistrust in scientific and medical communities. Within the United States, individuals who view vaccines as dangerous or unnecessary, are usually met with the social label “anti-vax” or the more accepted term for medical professionals “vaccine hesitant” (McClure et al.). As with biological factors, the results can influence both individual and community
Unfortunately, little progress has been made since then, as reports from 2015 show only 72.2 percent of U.S. children are fully vaccinated (KFF, 2017). Healthy People 2020 recommends a national goal of 80 percent to maintain herd immunity (Child Trends Databank, 2015). Despite the life-saving importance of immunization, these stagnant rates show that many mothers of U.S. children do not adhere to vaccination recommendations. These critics and skeptics of vaccines are a part of the anti-vaccination movement. Originating upon the discovery of the first vaccine in 1796, this movement has progressed for hundreds of years. Currently, through media and prominent anti-vax social figures, the public can easily be relayed messages of vaccine controversies rather than scientific facts. Falsehoods include perceived low risk of contracting vaccine-preventable diseases, “overloading” the child’s immune system, mercury in vaccines, reports of negative reactions after vaccination, and the infamously popular myth that vaccines cause autism (Mittenzwei, Morrison, & Williams,
Although the negative claims behind anti-immunization stances are deceptive and discredited, some parents find it difficult to accept that vaccines are necessary and safe. Many of these reasons are due to personal or religious beliefs that have persuaded parents to bypass immunizations for their children. Consequently, health officials are seeing disquieting rises of diseases that are easily preventable. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) has reported hundreds of measles cases in the United States in 2011, the largest number in 15 years (Ben-Joseph, Elana). Essentially, almost all of these cases were in individuals who had not received a vaccine shot. Also found in the article was that a great amount of the quarrel over the shots comes from a 1998 study that tried to connect autism to a type of vaccine that defends against measles. However, there has been no scientific evidence that a vaccine or a combination of any of the shots induces autism. Undoubtedly, the doctor that wrote the article, calling vaccines a “deliberate fraud” ,lost his license for not submitting any evidence of his claim and causing people to neglect shots for that year. Sadly, due to that article, 1 in 4 parents still believe that vaccines are
For one to understand the risk behind each vaccination is a very serious matter, identical to other procedures there are calculated risks involved with each vaccine. For example about one in every 520 thousand people will contract the polio disease 7- 30 days prior to receiving the polio oral vaccine (1). This is because the vaccine contains a very small amount of live attenuated strain of bacteria, and in very rare cases can cause the disease that is in attempt to be prevented to be transmitted to the patient. Other side effects include pallor or erythema in site of injection (which only means pale or redness of skins), also one is at risk for anaphylaxis shortly after receiving certain kinds of vaccines, but the most common side effects include rashes and bumps (1). While a more
There are many arguments that people have developed and built upon that are convincing me of the importance of the vaccinations. The benefits of vaccinations really were shown when “The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 732,000 American children were saved from death and 322 million cases of childhood illnesses were prevented between 1994 and 2014 due to vaccination” (Huffington). This is proof right in front of our eyes that vaccinations are working for some children. Something that saves 732,000 lives is a very important asset. Also, I think that it is critical to take into account the 322 million children that were saved from sickness. These 322 million children were kept from getting an illness that could be life threatening or even just uncomfortable. No matter the severity of the sickness there is an importance in the prevention of these diseases. Another intriguing argument for the continued use and importance of vaccines is that “most childhood vaccines are 90%-99% effective in preventing disease” (AAP). With a 90%-99% success rate it shows that it is so important to receive a vaccination because of the dangers of the diseases. In fact the 90%-99% effectiveness has “save[ed] 2.5 million children from preventable diseases every year” (Shot@Life). This direct correlation between these two arguments makes this side of the topic even more compelling. Another statistic that creates a realization that there may be more to vaccinations than we see on the
Vaccination is a complex topic that has proven to be so contentious that most people have decided that they either support vaccination or oppose it, with neither side willing to even entertain the idea of meeting in the middle or finding common ground. On one side, those who oppose vaccinations do so for a variety of reasons, but most of all they do so because they think vaccines are dangerous or ineffective. Many of the opposed defend their anti-vaccination position by citing studies linking vaccines to autism and other debilitating side effects, or by voicing concerns over vaccines containing unsafe ingredients that may harm vaccinated children. Also questioned is the effectiveness of vaccines, if they are even needed, or even why vaccinating matters if those who are vaccinated are so confident that vaccinations work. On the other side of the fence, the people who support vaccinations believe that, due to the benefits of vaccines far outweighing any associated risks,
The means of dealing with infectious diseases that endanger individual and public health have evolved over the years. In 1789, however, the most protective technology used to prevent epidemics was introduced by physician Edward Jenner; vaccination. Vaccine efficiency continues to develop and become more advanced, producing immunity to infectious diseases from 90 to 100 percent of the time today. Because of inoculation, millions of people worldwide are immunized from fatal epidemics. However, because of unsubstantiated fears, many parents have been withholding vaccines from their children. Despite this, parents should not have the right to withhold vaccines from their children for philosophical reasons. Vaccines are the best way to prevent disease, vaccine exemptions endanger individual and public health, and without widespread inoculation, controlled diseases will rebound.
Just like any other injection, there is the possibility of side effects. Most common among vaccines are swelling at injection site, redness, headaches, and sore throats which are temporary. At only less than 1%, 1 out of 1,000,000, do serious side effects happen
Since their first introduction in the late 1700s, vaccinations have been a controversial topic of discussion. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of disease. Although we can attribute the eradication and control of many diseases to vaccinations, there are still many Americans who are refusing to vaccinate their children based on their belief in a few unfounded fears. Most of these fears that the anti vaccine community believes are centered around the health risks involved with the practice of vaccinating. The majority of these fears have been disproven through extensive research. With the continued research and innovations of the
The choice to vaccinate a child holds much debate in society today. As a person that lives in America, you may feel it is your right to be able to choose what medical needs and necessities you would want for your child or yourself. “The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends getting 29 doses of 9 vaccines (plus a yearly flu shot after six months old) for kids aged 0 to six. No US federal laws mandate vaccination, but all 50 states require certain vaccinations for children entering public schools. Even though vaccines are considered extremely safe there are cases where in some people have a type of allergic reaction. Most states offer medical and religious exemptions; and some states allow philosophical exemptions” (Wadman, 2017). This point calls for a lot of debate, both in the scholarly world and among average citizens. Some people claim that such medical conditions, such as autism are the result of over vaccinating or dosing at early ages of development. Reasons on the topic vary, and concerns can end up in long legal disputes. Such disputes have raised the question of vaccine safety, prevention, and government intervention.
There are many resources available to get the facts and information we need to be educated about vaccines. Some of these resources are the Center for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) website, a personal primary care physician, and a community clinic. So first it's important to figure out exactly how you can discern between the reality of what happens by direct cause of vaccination and the stories or warnings others communicate by word of mouth. We must remember that a vaccine is a medication and that like any other medication a vaccine is going to have side effects. Some of those side effects may be minor and some may be major but each vaccine varies and the side effects may also differ from vaccine to vaccine. Normal or minor side effects that may be experienced are a low-grade fever and soreness at the injection site. In the instance of a rare but major side effect, from a vaccine, that is life-threatening it would be contraindicated that the vaccine be re-administered. A serious or major side effect would be
Vaccines save lives; fear endangers them. Vaccinations have been used since the 18th century to cure various deadly diseases, from smallpox to the influenza virus. On a global level, vaccination is one of the few cost-effective medical measures that result in universal benefit. Yet there have always been those opposed to vaccinations because of possible side effects. With the increase in technology and the ability to share ideas in modern society the anti vaccine movement has flourished making the eradication of disease and safety of the public a difficult task. The anti-vaccine movement in the United States is one which brings about a very serious issue of safety. Vaccinations are put in place to protect people; they are administered by trained professionals who weigh the costs and benefits of vaccines. Yet there are still people out there who refuse to be vaccinated out of fear and therefore decide for themselves the effectiveness of vaccines. In order to ensure a safe society the public needs to be educated about vaccine in order to make a truly informed decision.
Parents should be allowed to choose whether or not to immunize their children because of health concerns. Every vaccine has the potential to cause side effects such as, a low fever, irritation or swelling of the injection site, and headaches. These side effects are temporary and can usually last up to twenty-four hours, but sometime minor side effects are sometimes confused for the beginnings of severe adverse reactions. Adverse reactions occur because of genetics, environment, and acute sensitivity. When a person suffers from an adverse reaction they can temporary if treated properly and quickly, but tend to be permanent in most cases. Dr. Ran Paul believes that parents should have the right to choose because he has “heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines” (Con 1). He is not against vaccines, but believes that the parents have a right to be more involved. Vaccines can also cause a weakened immune system in children, which lowers their ability to
published a controversial study in British journal Lancet where he linked MMR vaccination to autism. (Should I include what his study was based on and results?) Years later, many other studies proved it wrong but mistrust of science and mistrust of government is still there (2011). For example, Phea Paul study stated that there is no evidence that autism is cause by any vaccine and therefore no reason for parents to deny a child protection in today’s vaccines offered (2009). His study shows that if comparing risks mathematically of death or disability as a result of not vaccination a child which are small, to the risks of causing an autism spectrum disorder by immunizing it increases significantly.
This paper examines the controversy surrounding the public health issue of vaccinations in children. Following a careful review of the literature surrounding this issue, the possible reasons for and implications of having a large percentage of the population who remains unvaccinated are discussed. Possible interventions and purposed interventions for resolution of this problem are discussed and conclusions are drawn based on what it learned from the literature.
The number of individuals who are unvaccinated or infected in the United States has increased (Sun). Vaccines recommended for children are crucial and result in fewer health risks and greater healthy lifestyles. Proponents agree that vaccines are safe and effective, while opponents disagree and believe that vaccines create more negative outcomes than positive ("Should Any Vaccines..."). Opponents attempt to influence and persuade the majority of individuals to stray away from their viewpoints relating to the encouragement of vaccinating children. The rising percentage of children and parents who reject immunization and protest safe vaccines indicate less triumph for sufficient immunization for the population. There are many detrimental risks that affect unvaccinated children, and supporting childhood vaccinations profoundly benefits each parent and child.