A vaccine contains a weakened version of a virus that is harmless to one and makes an individual immune to that virus. In this paper, I will discuss the history of vaccines and immunization. I will also examine both the pros and cons of vaccinations and attempt to come up with a conclusion.
History of Vaccines Vaccination is a wonder of modern medicine. According to Sanford and Kimmel (2005), “Vaccines have been highly effective in eliminating or significantly decreasing the occurrence of many once-common diseases” (p. 1). In the past sixty year’s vaccinations, have saved more lives than any other medical procedure. In 900 A.D., the Chinese were the first to discover and use the first form of vaccination called variolation. The goal was to forbid smallpox from spreading by exposing healthy people to the tissue from the scabs caused by the disease. They did this in one of …show more content…
Not only are vaccines safe but they also save money. Before vaccines became readily available many children and adults infected with a disease did not live very long. Preventing a disease is always better than treating it. Diseases not only pose life - threating consequences to you but loved ones as well, which is more than a reason to get all your necessary vaccines.
Cons of Vaccinations Many people believe vaccinations are harmful to the body. Some believe that the FDA, who approves vaccines are not to trust when it comes to our health. According to Sanford and Kimmel (2007), “Some physicians believe thimerosal, an organic mercury compound found in trace amounts in one flu vaccine for children and other vaccines for adults, is linked to autism” (p. 2). This leads to people believing that vaccines are unnatural and are immoral. Others do not agree with vaccines because of their religion which prohibit ‘unknown’ substances to enter their body when there are other ways to solve our diseases.
Why Are People