Advantages Of Vaccine Vaccine

Immunization Required:

Maintaining the Health of our Children

Gone are the days of the chicken pox parties. These parties happened when one child became infected with the chickenpox, the neighbors and friends would bring their children over to expose them to the virus. This would attribute to the immunity they achieved once recovering from the virus. Those born after 1995, may have attended one, but most likely they had received the varicella vaccination. This would give them the immunity needed without having to suffer the itchy rash and fever often associated with the virus. Before the use of the varicella vaccine, “approximately 11,000 people were hospitalized for the illness in the United States each year, and 100 died per year”, states Rhonda (478). Diseases

This process creates a response that builds immunity to the infectious agent” (477). A vaccine contains destroyed particles of a virus, which mimics the virus and tricks your body. When a vaccine is administered, it prompts the immune system to make antibodies to the virus. Makielski and Rhonda recognize vaccination as “one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the 20th century” as noted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (1867; 477).

Table 1.1 shows the success since the development of vaccines. The pre-vaccine and post-vaccine reported number of cases of select diseases are shown. Vaccinations prevent once-common childhood diseases from recurring, preventing injuries and death. Immunizations should receive praise for the reduction of death and suffering of children since the creation of these vaccines.

Disease Annual Number of Reported Cases: Pre-Vaccine Number of Reported Cases: 2012

Diphtheria 175,885 1

Tetanus 1,314 36

Measles 503,282