Argumentative Essay On Vaccination Of Children

Vaccinations for the Generations Every day, people come in contact with diseases. Opening a door, shaking hands, kissing, purchasing and consuming food, all require touch and involve the exchange of bacteria. Prior to inoculating people with a weakened version of diseases, the mortality rate was much higher, especially among infants. Vaccines are administered to protect the masses from diseases and outbreaks that can spread through these exchanges, such as bubonic plague. Despite staggering evidence in favor of inoculation, vaccines are a highly controversial subject- especially the vaccination of young children. When people are exposed to an illness, their antibodies cannot reproduce rapidly enough to fend off the disease in a timely manner.
Their antibodies will eventually eradicate the disease but in some instances the disease may cause irreversible damage to the body’s many systems. Vaccines provide a safe option for most individuals. Injecting the germs of a disease causes the body to develop immunity to specific diseases (“Childhood Vaccines” 1-2). Furthermore, the greater number of people that acquire vaccines, the less disease spreads. Herd immunity refers to a group of people, much like a neighborhood, who have all received vaccines. If one person becomes ill, the probability of the disease spreading is low. Vaccination further protects the community as a whole. It also protects future generations by eradicating diseases (“Childhood Vaccines” 4-5). Studies have shown that diseases return when vaccination rates drop (Allen 2). In 1996, a measles outbreak occurred in Utah; among those cases, forty-five percent of the afflicted were families who were exempt from vaccines (Flanders 5). Measles, a very dangerous and invasive disease, not only affects the initial victim, but also others near the individual. A pregnant woman, for example, who comes in contact with measles will be in danger of miscarriage, still-birth, and perhaps delivering a severely disabled child (Childs 3). In addition, the polio incidence in 1952 affected 21,269 Americans and claimed the lives of 3,145 victims (Flanders 1). However, in 1955 the number of polio cases dropped significantly. Coincidentally, 1955 was the year that the polio vaccine was created and administered to the public (“Childhood Vaccines” 2). Since then, polio has been eradicated from the western hemisphere. In another example, small pox has disappeared through the use of vaccines (Allen 2). Small pox no longer exists in man (Flanders 2). However, an infected traveler carrying a foreign disease could set the United States population fifty years back if we do not vaccinate (“Childhood Vaccines” 5). In 2005, thirty-one children died from whooping cough (“Childhood Vaccines” 4). While that number may seem low, the families of those thirty-one children lost a son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandson, or granddaughter. Those who believe in not inoculating children may be right for those who live in a completely sterile environment away from other children, animals, public schooling, and even outdoor activities (Allen 3). Children who are not inoculated with the DTP vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus vaccine) are 23 times more likely to become infected with whooping cough (“Childhood Vaccines” 4). An example of a severe outbreak of whooping cough happened in the town of Boulder, Colorado. This community has the lowest vaccination rate along with the highest per capita rates of whooping cough in the United States (Allen 2). Many individuals believe that hygiene and use of proper sanitation can be used as a defense against illness; however vaccines prevent disease in an estimated ninety to one-hundred percent of people (“Childhood Vaccines” 2). Another misconception about vaccines is that of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. This vaccine is administered at an early age, about the same time that symptoms of autism arise. A great number of parents believe that the MMR vaccine causes autism because of the supposed presence of thimerosal (a type of mercury) in the vaccine. Although thimerosal has been proven to cause nervous system damage in high doses, the MMR vaccine no longer contains thimerosal. Furthermore, autism is a set of complex disorders, making the origin of autism nearly impossible to find (McCormick 1-3). In addition to many misconceptions, the fear of overloading a child’s immune system is extremely apparent to many parents. It is known that multiple vaccines are administered in one doctor visit. Studies have shown that simultaneous vaccination does not have adverse effects. Also, combining shots such as the MMR vaccine is safe and provides the advantage of fewer shots (Centers 2). Many individuals believe that vaccines are not tested thoroughly; however, the Vaccine Adverse Effect Reporting System monitors all vaccines (Flanders 3). Therefore, the scientific community believes that communication with the public pertaining to vaccines must be improved (McCormick 3). Babies are given vaccines at very young ages; while this may be painful for parents to observe, administering infant vaccines is incredibly important. When babies are born, they are instantly exposed to millions of bacteria (Centers 2). In addition, infants do not have cells of antibodies trained to fight against diseases. Most children are given up to twenty-three injections by the time they turn two (Centers 1). In March, 1922, eighty children died of measles within one week (Childs 2).
Eighty families lost children to a vicious disease that physicians had not yet developed a vaccine for immunity. Tina Albertson, a pediatric resident, recalls a young girl who had come in contact with whooping cough, “She was a six-week old girl with a sister and brother, four and six. The family had chosen not to immunize, and the week she was born, her siblings both had whooping cough. When they’re real little, the babies don’t whoop, they just stop breathing. This little girl was septic by the time they got her here” (Allen 3). Lastly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states why children need vaccines at an early age, “Children are given vaccines at a young age because this is when they are most vulnerable to certain disease” (Centers 1). Parents and guardians have a duty and responsibility to determine how they want their child to live. While Americans have the freedom to carry out ideas they deem acceptable, they also have the responsibility to care for their society. Research through trustworthy medical practitioners can help inform and clarify any misconceptions individuals may have about vaccines. Childhood vaccines are extremely important and necessary to protect the population for
generations.