Vaccines: A Case Study

Although some people believe that vaccinations are not the best choice for them or their children, many negative effects can be seen when people choose against vaccines. Paul A. Offit in Deadly Choices: How the Anti-vaccine Movement Threatens Us All, saying “We’ve reached a tipping point. Children are suffering and dying because some parents are more frightened by vaccines than by the disease they prevent” (191). Since the anti-vaccination movement began people have been believing that vaccines are unhealthy, when in reality vaccines are protecting people from the unhealthy diseases. This movement has lead to an increase in outbreaks of preventable diseases throughout the United States. Figure 3 is a list of the “notifiable diseases”, which are diseases that must be reported to the government authorities. This figure shows how diseases such as measles and tuberculosis had a high number of cases before the introduction of vaccinations. Although it is good that the number of

“Sustaining high vaccination coverage among school-age children is vital to prevent outbreaks and avoid reestablishment of diseases that have been eliminated in the United States” (Zangger, 2017). Most of the articles found, stated a variety of issues involved with noncompliant parental decisions made about not vaccinating their children. Of these issues, to my attention, the main problem with compliance of vaccines comes from the lack of knowledge about adverse effects and contraindications. What parents are missing is the fact that these childhood diseases are totally preventable diseases. We also are seeing a lot of parents choose to use an alternative vaccination schedule (AVS) instead of what is recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that leads to the same kind of issue (Committee on Practice and Ambulatory Medicine and council on the community, 2011). The studies show that parents have an increased likelihood of refusing to vaccinate due to the lack of education provided on the subject itself.

Increasing appropriate vaccination program has been initiated focused implementation of health care system and community services. Effectiveness of increasing vaccination rate in targeted population has been proven by research and data. Recommendation includes the health care providers to offer educations and reminders for clients. Additional strategies of implementation include accessibility of vaccination such as reduced cost and providing expanded access in clinics. Home visit can also be offered for immobilized clients. Standing order is another strategy that has been recommended in this program. Under the state law and approved protocol by the institution, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals can administer vaccination

Vaccination has strongly integrated into modern medicine, and several generations have grown up without being exposed to epidemics of rubella, whooping cough, measles, etc. However, during the recent decade an anti-vaccine movement has emerged, powered by the complaints and claims of parents in on the internet and videos associated with the supposed specific effects of vaccines. Many mothers choose not to immunize their kids, or refuse from certain vaccinations.

Since the early 1800’s vaccinations have been significant factors in eliminating many contagious diseases and, for the most part, have been an accepted part of preventative medicine in our nation. Veritably eradicating often fatal diseases such as smallpox, polio, and cholera, vaccinations have been vital in contributing to a healthier and more disease free world.

People should realize the risks that being unvaccinated pose and understand that vaccines are well worth any possible side effects in order to remain protected. If one chooses to keep their kids and themselves from getting vaccinated they pose extreme risks for the entire world and themselves. It would be smart to contact a local or state government to pressure them to pass legislation to get stricter mandates on vaccinations. For Pennsylvanians one could contact governor Tom Wolf. Contact him by phone at 717-787-2500 and challenge him to look deeper into the issue and the problems it

“For just a few dollars a dose, vaccines save lives and help reduce poverty. Unlike medical treatment, they provide a lifetime of protection from deadly and debilitating disease. They are safe and effective. They cut health care and treatment costs, reduce the number of hospital visits, and ensure healthier children, families and communities” (Berkley). Parents believe that by passing up on a chance to let their children get vaccinated they are protecting them from a harmful substance, but these parents don’t realize that by denying vaccines they are endangering the lives of their children. As parents begin to

Over time a paradigm shift as occurred in the way people think about vaccinations in relation to the differences by race, poverty status and type of vaccines. When it comes to vaccination, there are a lot of unanswered questions and misconceptions. “Present day fears focus on metaphysical debates between vaccines, autism and…preventability of diseases for which vaccines has been developed, some parents have grown more fearful of the vaccines than the disease it was developed to protect against” (Matus, 2015). Parents should have the right to opt out of having their children vaccinated and still send their children to public school. However parents must understand there are consequences of their decision, such as putting healthy children at

Millions of lives have been saved thanks to a global effort to vaccinate for deadly diseases. Peter Yeo reports “Immunizations have saved more children than any other medical intervention in the last 50 years” (Reforming the U.N. 118). Yet, a new trend for parents is opting out of vaccinating their children for personal beliefs or religious exemptions. Although, the majority of Americans believe vaccines protect children, and conclusive evidence has proven vaccines can prevent the spread of deadly diseases. Still, a few parents believe vaccinating children is not essential for their health, additionally, they believe an increase in mandatory vaccines has insufficient scientific research to prevent serious medical side effects.

Recently, there has been a rising anti-vaccine movement amongst parents that is consequentially giving disease, such as whooping cough and polio, a 2nd life (USA Today). This movement is supported by the ignorance of some parents who believe that vaccines cause autism and other highly unlikely issues, and by experts who are taking advantage of their authoritative appeal. With the mounting evidence available through various sources, one would think the vaccination of their children would be a no-brainer. However, there is as much misinformation as well and it is feeding the argument for anti-vaccination.

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 use of effective channels of communication and trusted sources will help to persuade some of those who object. “The spread of vaccination chiefly depends on the spread of beliefs in its efficacy, lack of side effects, etc.,” (Milton, Mercier). The idea of vaccination is counter intuitive (the idea of injecting small amounts of weakened illnesses into our bodies) so we need to overcome the perceived risk because the reward of being safe from infectious disease is worth it. Vaccination becomes more accepted when the threats of a disease become more likely. When unvaccinated people get sick and vaccinated people stay healthy it affects the way people make decisions. An example of the efficacy of vaccines to protect us from illness is shown in the following quote. “An epidemic of rubella (German measles) in 1964-65 infected 12½ million Americans, killed 2,000 babies, and caused 11,000 miscarriages. Since 2012, 15 cases of rubella were reported to CDC” (What Would Happen If We Stopped Vaccinations?). The statistics on the effectiveness of vaccines are overwhelming, and any solution for increasing participants of mandatory vaccination holdouts rely on increased communication. Information coming from a trustworthy source may be crucial, public health officials may need to work more closely with local personnel in order to obtain higher vaccination rates. Parents who vaccinate, and those who rely on the community immunity must also vocalize their beliefs because they are important voices that need to be heard from as well. Vaccination rate can be increased through educating citizens of the critical effectiveness of

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.

Vaccinations are a way to protect people from the harmful effects of contagious diseases. Vaccinations are a weakened form of a disease that gets injected into the body. The immune system then makes antibodies that fight off the weakened disease. If the body ever encounters the

A vaccine works by tricking the body’s immune system into creating antibodies that fight an innocuous form of the virus. The antibodies then remain in the body, and if the person encounters the real virus, they are protected against it. The history of vaccines actually goes as far back as 200BC India or China, when it was discovered that some diseases do not infect those who have already been infected by it. This discovery led people to infect themselves with inoculated matter, thus protecting them from the disease. The first vaccine dates back to 1796 when Edward Jenner developed the smallpox vaccine using a weakend version of the cowpox disease. The concept of vaccinations through inoculation is considered by many to be one of the great science revelations of the 20th century.