Inoculation Nation Essay
Inoculation Nation 1796 was a year of illness; pox-plagued people lay on their deathbed, gasping for their last breath. Bodies littered the streets, and the dead did not always receive a proper burial. With that magnitude of mortality, many were searching for an answer. Immunity would be the solution. However, the first inkling of a thought that immunity was acquired from exposure to disease originated with Thucydides in Athens, circa 430 B.C. He stated, “the sick and the dying were tended by the pitying care of those who had recovered because they knew the course of the disease and were themselves free from apprehensions. For no one was ever attacked a second time, or not with a fatal result” (Orenstein). This acquired immunity theory inspired Doctor Edward Jenner in 1796 to attempt something unethical. Edward had taken notice that milkmaids did not fall ill to smallpox while those around them did. Jenner realized that the milkmaids had been exposed to a form of cowpox, also known as vaccinia, which was less severe than smallpox, overcame the illness, and were then immune after multiple forms of exposure to the related disease, including smallpox, also known as variola vera. He deduced then that the viruses were similar enough genetically that acquiring vaccinia would grant immunity from variola vera. With the assurance from his new discovery, Jenner took a leap of faith and variolated, or placed pus from a cowpox lesion, into an open wound of a young boy, James Phipps. He continued to test his
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hypothesis by exposing his patient to various sources of smallpox. When the child did not contract the disease, it was concluded that the cowpox virus was an effective means to prevent smallpox. From this revolutionary experiment, scientists from around the world recognized that using dead, inactivated, or similar forms of a disease for immunization could prevent future infection and potentially drastically decrease the incidence of transmittable diseases in the present. Therefore, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading national public health institute of the United States, claims that vaccines prevent many cases of transmittable disease infections. While vaccinations exist for many transmittable diseases, such as mumps (parotitis), whooping cough (Bordetella pertussis), meningitis (Neisseria meningitis), etc, there are additional diseases for which a vaccine has not been developed or is in the experimental stages of approval by the Food and Drug Administration (Orenstein). A list of the 81 approved vaccines used in the United States is available on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. The CDC has determined that vaccination is held accountable for a 100% decrease in diphtheria and smallpox instances and a 99 percent or greater decrease of measles, mumps, rubella, and polio in the United States (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Ergo, requiring vaccinations is the best way to prevent citizens from acquiring transmittable diseases. As of the present, all 50 states allow vaccine exemptions. 48 states allow religious exemption and 17 states allow a philosophical, conscientious, or personal belief exemptions (Orenstein). To prevent transmittable diseases, all people must be vaccinated at the appropriate ages, and no exemptions can be allowed that are based on any ground other than a medical condition that renders a person unable to receive a vaccine. For instance, religious exemptions are used by select citizens to circumvent legislation that requires every child in the state to be immunized at certain stages of development. For example, in Indiana, a person can evade required immunizations by completing a simple form and turning it into the state. The two main religions that are opposed to vaccination are the Church of Christ: Scientists and the Dutch Reformed Congregation (Immunization and Religion). While Christian Science rejects vaccines merely on the basis that it is an aid from an origin other than the higher being outlined in their Holy Scriptures, the Dutch Reformed Congregation states that they do not use vaccines because they are made utilizing human embryos. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that additives may be used in vaccines, however, these additives are limited to aluminum, antibiotics, egg proteins, formaldehyde, monosodium glutamate, and thimerosal (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). These additives ensure that the vaccines are of good quality, which means they are healthy, potent, and safe. It is mentioned in a vaccine ingredient sheet from the vaccine manufacturer Merck that part of the vaccine is prepared in human diploid lung fibroblasts, which are cells taken from the lung of an aborted fetus (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). If a person wants to receive a vaccine but does not agree with the manufacturing processes of Merck, they can find an alternative manufacturer. However, a majority of Americans do not identify as a member of the Dutch Reformed Congregation or the Church of Christ: Scientists. Even if they did believe in that faith, it is still important for children to be vaccinated. Although it may be hard to fully process and accept what is used in vaccines, vaccinating is the most effective way to prevent transmittable diseases. There have been other instances when the good of the people supersedes the religion of an individual.
The concept is that the government outlawed polygamy because it often leads to human rights violations. The government enforced their will upon the people for the good of the group, and in requiring vaccinations, the concept is nearly identical. The objective is to solidify the wellbeing of the human race by prioritizing the human race as a whole, not as an
individual.
Bodily autonomy also comes into question whenever vaccinations are required. Humans all have universally recognized rights, and having a choice over what goes into and out of their bodies is a subset of those rights. Therefore, many who refuse vaccines through philosophical waivers are claiming the right to decide what is put into their body. However, just because every human has a recognized unalienable right does not mean that they have complete control over everything about themselves. An infringement upon one’s rights could be considered acceptable if it is for the continuation of one’s life. For example, if a child is hit by a car and bleeding out on the pavement, a medical professional would give them a blood transfusion or suture the wound without direct permission from a parent or legal guardian. They would not just allow the child to lie there and die before their eyes, just to wait for permission. It is assumed that a person wants to live. The same could be said of Congress by requiring vaccinations for all that can receive them. Refusal to vaccinate can be considered an invitation for illness, especially for extremely fatal or disfiguring diseases, such as polio. While it is true that by residing within a community of those who are given vaccinations grants a herd immunity, it is still pertinent to be vaccinated.
In cases of when parents decide against vaccinating their children and figure herd immunity will always protect them, they are sadly mistaken. While herd immunity does work, it is only effective under certain conditions. If the child travels outside of the herd, they may travel right into the hands of a disease-ridden society. One case, in particular, was an outbreak of measles in Disneyland in Anaheim, California (Measles). 147 people were sickened, and most of the cases could be traced to a close-knit religious community that were all unvaccinated. While herd immunity works if you are one in a sea of many, it does not help if you are one in a sea of a few. Requiring vaccinations for those able to get them would grant herd immunity for those who cannot receive vaccinations due to medical reasons. It would allow those who cannot be vaccinated a metaphorical bubble of protection which would lead to a healthier population through lowered disease rates.
A parent may also argue that their child may contract autism from a vaccine. However, is the child contracting autism from the vaccine, or being diagnosed with a disorder that was once classified as an unspecified mental illness? Due to advances in medicine and understanding of mental disorders, more people are being diagnosed with mental illnesses than ever. Also, there is no scientific evidence that proves that vaccines cause autism. In fact, this claim was made in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, a former surgeon and medical researcher (Willingham). It was claimed that the MMR vaccine caused autism and bowel problems, which was later disproved by others in his field, and in the process, he lost his medical license, rendering all research done up to that point in academia inaccurate (Willingham). In addition, by stating that a person is opting not to vaccinate their children, they are putting their child at risk for harmful, preventable diseases, which can have more devastating and life-altering effects than a vaccine. By opting out of a vaccine, a person is putting a current state of functioning as a completely normal human being above a chance at a healthy life.
Vaccines are also essential because they are an inexpensive way to prevent disease. In fact, the CDC provides costs of each vaccine offered and the most expensive vaccine costs 122 USD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Additionally, in many states where they are mandated, the health departments within those states host a day(s) when people can get vaccinated for free or reduced rates. Also, many forms of health insurance pay for the vaccination itself, since it is listed as a preventative cost. In a majority of cases, it will save the insurance provider money by preventing future infection. Therefore, money cannot be considered a factor that hinders people from getting vaccines.
Vaccines are important for society today. Although they are currently at a pinnacle of controversy, it is pertinent that people are vaccinated unless medically unable (allergies, etc.). By vaccinating, doctors and others are attempting to prevent outbreaks of disease, that when left unvaccinated against can cause mass fatalities. Not preventing mass mortality when capable would be inhumane, due to the human instinct, which is to want to survive when possible. By removing the option of exemption except in cases of medical ineligibility, the United States Congress would be advocating for a healthier, more resilient population. Vaccines make immunity possible and make the human race as a whole healthier and stronger.
hypothesis by exposing his patient to various sources of smallpox. When the child did not contract the disease, it was concluded that the cowpox virus was an effective means to prevent smallpox. From this revolutionary experiment, scientists from around the world recognized that using dead, inactivated, or similar forms of a disease for immunization could prevent future infection and potentially drastically decrease the incidence of transmittable diseases in the present. Therefore, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the leading national public health institute of the United States, claims that vaccines prevent many cases of transmittable disease infections. While vaccinations exist for many transmittable diseases, such as mumps (parotitis), whooping cough (Bordetella pertussis), meningitis (Neisseria meningitis), etc, there are additional diseases for which a vaccine has not been developed or is in the experimental stages of approval by the Food and Drug Administration (Orenstein). A list of the 81 approved vaccines used in the United States is available on the Food and Drug Administration’s website. The CDC has determined that vaccination is held accountable for a 100% decrease in diphtheria and smallpox instances and a 99 percent or greater decrease of measles, mumps, rubella, and polio in the United States (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Ergo, requiring vaccinations is the best way to prevent citizens from acquiring transmittable diseases. As of the present, all 50 states allow vaccine exemptions. 48 states allow religious exemption and 17 states allow a philosophical, conscientious, or personal belief exemptions (Orenstein). To prevent transmittable diseases, all people must be vaccinated at the appropriate ages, and no exemptions can be allowed that are based on any ground other than a medical condition that renders a person unable to receive a vaccine. For instance, religious exemptions are used by select citizens to circumvent legislation that requires every child in the state to be immunized at certain stages of development. For example, in Indiana, a person can evade required immunizations by completing a simple form and turning it into the state. The two main religions that are opposed to vaccination are the Church of Christ: Scientists and the Dutch Reformed Congregation (Immunization and Religion). While Christian Science rejects vaccines merely on the basis that it is an aid from an origin other than the higher being outlined in their Holy Scriptures, the Dutch Reformed Congregation states that they do not use vaccines because they are made utilizing human embryos. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that additives may be used in vaccines, however, these additives are limited to aluminum, antibiotics, egg proteins, formaldehyde, monosodium glutamate, and thimerosal (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). These additives ensure that the vaccines are of good quality, which means they are healthy, potent, and safe. It is mentioned in a vaccine ingredient sheet from the vaccine manufacturer Merck that part of the vaccine is prepared in human diploid lung fibroblasts, which are cells taken from the lung of an aborted fetus (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). If a person wants to receive a vaccine but does not agree with the manufacturing processes of Merck, they can find an alternative manufacturer. However, a majority of Americans do not identify as a member of the Dutch Reformed Congregation or the Church of Christ: Scientists. Even if they did believe in that faith, it is still important for children to be vaccinated. Although it may be hard to fully process and accept what is used in vaccines, vaccinating is the most effective way to prevent transmittable diseases. There have been other instances when the good of the people supersedes the religion of an individual.
The concept is that the government outlawed polygamy because it often leads to human rights violations. The government enforced their will upon the people for the good of the group, and in requiring vaccinations, the concept is nearly identical. The objective is to solidify the wellbeing of the human race by prioritizing the human race as a whole, not as an
individual.
Bodily autonomy also comes into question whenever vaccinations are required. Humans all have universally recognized rights, and having a choice over what goes into and out of their bodies is a subset of those rights. Therefore, many who refuse vaccines through philosophical waivers are claiming the right to decide what is put into their body. However, just because every human has a recognized unalienable right does not mean that they have complete control over everything about themselves. An infringement upon one’s rights could be considered acceptable if it is for the continuation of one’s life. For example, if a child is hit by a car and bleeding out on the pavement, a medical professional would give them a blood transfusion or suture the wound without direct permission from a parent or legal guardian. They would not just allow the child to lie there and die before their eyes, just to wait for permission. It is assumed that a person wants to live. The same could be said of Congress by requiring vaccinations for all that can receive them. Refusal to vaccinate can be considered an invitation for illness, especially for extremely fatal or disfiguring diseases, such as polio. While it is true that by residing within a community of those who are given vaccinations grants a herd immunity, it is still pertinent to be vaccinated.
In cases of when parents decide against vaccinating their children and figure herd immunity will always protect them, they are sadly mistaken. While herd immunity does work, it is only effective under certain conditions. If the child travels outside of the herd, they may travel right into the hands of a disease-ridden society. One case, in particular, was an outbreak of measles in Disneyland in Anaheim, California (Measles). 147 people were sickened, and most of the cases could be traced to a close-knit religious community that were all unvaccinated. While herd immunity works if you are one in a sea of many, it does not help if you are one in a sea of a few. Requiring vaccinations for those able to get them would grant herd immunity for those who cannot receive vaccinations due to medical reasons. It would allow those who cannot be vaccinated a metaphorical bubble of protection which would lead to a healthier population through lowered disease rates.
A parent may also argue that their child may contract autism from a vaccine. However, is the child contracting autism from the vaccine, or being diagnosed with a disorder that was once classified as an unspecified mental illness? Due to advances in medicine and understanding of mental disorders, more people are being diagnosed with mental illnesses than ever. Also, there is no scientific evidence that proves that vaccines cause autism. In fact, this claim was made in 1998 by Andrew Wakefield, a former surgeon and medical researcher (Willingham). It was claimed that the MMR vaccine caused autism and bowel problems, which was later disproved by others in his field, and in the process, he lost his medical license, rendering all research done up to that point in academia inaccurate (Willingham). In addition, by stating that a person is opting not to vaccinate their children, they are putting their child at risk for harmful, preventable diseases, which can have more devastating and life-altering effects than a vaccine. By opting out of a vaccine, a person is putting a current state of functioning as a completely normal human being above a chance at a healthy life.
Vaccines are also essential because they are an inexpensive way to prevent disease. In fact, the CDC provides costs of each vaccine offered and the most expensive vaccine costs 122 USD (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Additionally, in many states where they are mandated, the health departments within those states host a day(s) when people can get vaccinated for free or reduced rates. Also, many forms of health insurance pay for the vaccination itself, since it is listed as a preventative cost. In a majority of cases, it will save the insurance provider money by preventing future infection. Therefore, money cannot be considered a factor that hinders people from getting vaccines.
Vaccines are important for society today. Although they are currently at a pinnacle of controversy, it is pertinent that people are vaccinated unless medically unable (allergies, etc.). By vaccinating, doctors and others are attempting to prevent outbreaks of disease, that when left unvaccinated against can cause mass fatalities. Not preventing mass mortality when capable would be inhumane, due to the human instinct, which is to want to survive when possible. By removing the option of exemption except in cases of medical ineligibility, the United States Congress would be advocating for a healthier, more resilient population. Vaccines make immunity possible and make the human race as a whole healthier and stronger.