Argumentative Essay On Vaccinating Children

Did you know 122,000 children died from measles in 2012? Did you also know that the death of these children was mostly preventable? The parents of these children believe vaccinating their children have negative impacts on their health, such as causing autism. They may also have personal or religious beliefs against childhood vaccinations. Contrary to these views, parents should not be allowed to opt out of vaccinations for their children. Not vaccinating children will lead to very serious negative effects, such as vulnerability to preventable serious or fatal diseases. Vaccinations can eradicate many serious illnesses that are fatal to humans. We have already witnessed this, such as elimination of smallpox, polio and other diseases. As the CDC proclaims, “Our children don't have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists. If we keep vaccinating now, parents in the future may be able to trust that diseases like polio and meningitis won't infect, cripple, or kill children. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases” (Columbian 1). This is essentially saying that if a large percentage (if not all) children today are vaccinated, they will be protected from the detrimental effects of diseases
Some of these benefits include a reduced amount of visits to the doctor’s offices, emergency rooms, hospitals, and thus saving money. In her article “Studies Show Impact of Childhood Vaccinations,” Liz Szabo states, “Saving nearly $1 billion in their first four years … [and] prevented more than 176,000 hospitalizations, 242,000 emergency department visits, and 1.1 million doctor's visits among children under 5” (1). These are great benefits not only for the health of children, but also for their parents, hospitals, and society as a whole. We must vaccinate our children for a better