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History of vaccination essay
History of vaccines essay
Essay on the history of vaccination
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The invention of the vaccination has been argued to be one of the best health inventions of all time, however others argue that it may be one of the worst. The vaccination production was put in place in an attempt to slow or eradicate some diseases entirely. Those that are against the use of vaccinations believe they may be harmful. In some situations this could be true due to circumstances such as allergic reactions taking place. Overall, children, especially when young, are in need of an immunity to at least the common diseases. Had the use of vaccines not been formed, some of the world’s most widespread and detrimental diseases at one time would still be around today.
Vaccinations in newborns are at utmost importance because when contracted, the disease can be much more serious than it would be in that of even an older child. While it is true that infants get immunizations through their mothers, this begins to fade away over time. This can happen in as quickly as one month after conception (Hoecker, Mayo Clinic). If children are not vaccinated they are more likely to contract if not spread the disease they have come into contact with. Living in the United States, the majority of physicians recommend about eleven vaccinations (chickenpox, diphtheria, human papillomavirus (female), measles, meningitis caused by the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae type b, mumps, polio, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, and hepatitis (types A and B). Some vaccinations provide lifelong immunization while others require what is called “booster” doses. These doses are taken to periodically ensure that the dose before was effective. Immunity usually begins to happen about two weeks after the vaccination is put in place (“Immunization”). ...
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...ere is a one in a million chance of harm done.
The biggest issue when speaking of whether every child should be forced to be vaccinated is that the government is denying its people of their individual rights. If vaccines were not important and a key factor in our country’s well being, public schools would not want every student in their district to be vaccinated. Yes, it is true that there are waivers to evade the process, but it would not be so strongly suggested for no reason. The argument that “individual rights are no longer considered” is irrelevant when the people as a whole is taken into consideration. It is much more logical to keep an entire nation healthy than a few people happy. However, if vaccination never became mandated, the schools and/or workplaces should have a choice in whether they take an unvaccinated individual into their environment.
“Vaccinations are causing a major upsurge in childhood diseases, adult maladies, and even deadly ailments such as Gulf War Syndrome and Lou Gehrig’s disease” (Blaylock). Every now and then an individual’s doctor calls telling them about the latest vaccine they should receive. The person immediately schedules a time to come in and get it done. But do they even give a second thought about it? Have they ever thought that maybe they do not need another vaccination? Many people have not taken the time to seriously think about the process of immunization. The truth is, there are many dangers that the average person should be unaware of. Rarely do vaccines actually accomplish what the public has been told. In fact, a lot of vaccines contain harmful substances that have been linked to disorders such as autism. The lack of education and dishonesty from doctors are putting people in danger of health problems without even realizing. Many parents feel obligated for their children to get vaccinated because of school, not knowing they have the alternative option of refusing immunization.
The idea behind vaccines is to provide the body with just enough of the disease-causing substance to trick the body into producing antibodies against it. By injecting weak or dead infectious agents through the skin, it’s believed that the body will create the appropriate immune defense. Infants come into the world with antibodies they have gotten from their mother through the placenta. Infants who are breastfed continue to receive many important antibodies in the colostrum (the thick, yellowish premilk that is secreted during the first few days after a woman gives birth) and breast milk. During the first year of life, the immunity an infant gets from its mother at birth wears off. To help boost the fading ability to fight certain diseases, vaccines are given. Once the antibodies are produced, they stay around, protecting the child against the disease they were designed to fight.
Mumps, Measles, Whooping Cough, Smallpox, Polio and, Diphtheria are all deadly diseases that were once a death sentence to children and adults around the world, but there is something that can help combat these fatal diseases. Vaccinations can change the course of these lethal diseases, but some families are still refusing to vaccinate the future of the world. Vaccinations can not only be beneficial to the child itself but to rest of humanity as well. There is evidence that goes against false claims bashing vaccination and the positive effects of vaccination overrule all of the negative. Vaccination can have a positive effect on the world due to its life-saving properties, effects on humanity and the extensive amount of safety and care that
The history of vaccinations does not begin with the first vaccination itself but rather an infectious disease that had greatly affected the human population. In 1796 Edward Jenner created a successful composition using cowpox material that created immunity to the ongoing growth of the small pox disease. Jenner’s method underwent 200 years of medical and technological changes until it had finally resulted in complete elimination of the smallpox disease. Vaccinations have been a controversial medical topic for many years and although it is proven to be an effective means of preventing serious effects, including fatalities from childhood illnesses the controversy remains that the side effects from the immunizations outweigh the risk of contracting the disease. According to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia they state that “innovative techniques now drive vaccine research, with recombinant DNA technology and new delivery techniques leading scientist in new directions. Disease targets have expanded, and some vaccine research is beginning to focus on non-infectious conditions, such as addictions and allergies” (“The History of Vaccines” College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Web. 10 January. 2014). While public health officials insist that vaccines are the best way to protect public health. Over the past thirty years the vaccination schedule has tripled and since then there has been an alarming rise in the infant mortality rate in America. The problem is not the vaccination itself, but the quality of the vaccination.
Vaccinations have been very helpful for all ages of people over many centuries. Vaccinations help protect us from infectious diseases. Most people believe in medicine because it improves people’s health. The first vaccination was performed by Edward Jenner in 1796 stated in the article, “The History of Vaccines And Immunization: Familiar Patterns, New Challenges.” (Stern and Markel n. pag.) Vaccinations have improved tremendously since that time frame. Many people do not believe in vaccinations due to personal opinions like religion or the small effects. Vaccinating should be mandatory for all humans around the world due to the effects, or even death of a infectious diseases. Diseases can be very dangerous for humans to come in contact with. Vaccinations can help prevent people from getting infectious diseases, or even spreading the disease to someone else. Many people do not care about others, when not getting immunizations. People need to have a bigger perspective, when it comes down to yours and others health. Immunizations should be mandatory, no matter what people voice about them. Vaccinations may have downfalls to it like the actual feeling of the shot or side
One of the major criticisms of mandatory vaccinations is the shift of balance in autonomy and choice versus the protection of the public (Anomaly, "Public Health and Public Goods"). I can see how from a Kantian perspective that mandatory vaccinations could be using people as mere means for the greater good of the public health, but when one’s individual rights and choices endanger my personal safety there needs to be some regulation. The idea of herd immunity may follow from a utilitarian framework that vaccinations bring about the greatest possibly good and minimize harm and ultimately maximize the happiness of the public, but it is a practice that promotes the health of our future generation. Individuals against mandatory vaccinations argue against the need for vaccinations due to the potential harmful side effects they may result in. The fear driving what vaccinations contain is based off misinterpreting data. The CDC provides great amounts of knowledge of the potential and tolerable side effects of vaccinations. Another major argument against mandatory vaccinations is the cost. Like mentioned above the vaccines that are currently required to go to school are measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Polio, Whopping Cough, Diphtheria, Varicella, Hepatitis B and Hib, which can be a costly doctor visit. The likelihood that these vaccines will no longer be mandatory for school-aged children is
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has listed immunizations as the number one greatest public health achievement in the 20th century. This attainment towards the goal of health and safety is a huge success for not only our country but from the global perspective as well. Immunizations help to prevent illness and death from vaccine-preventable diseases. The World Health Organization states that global vaccination coverage has remained consistent for the past few years; for example, the percentage of infants fully vaccinated against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis has held secure at 83%. Programs for population-wide vaccinations have helped with the annihilation of polio in America since the late 1970’s, the eradication of smallpox, and the control of numerous other infectious diseases in the United States and other parts of the world.
Immunization is the process by which a person or animal becomes protected against a disease. Even though it’s “one of the greatest health development of the 20th century”, the number of infants who aren’t fully vaccinated are increasing gradually over the past years. This happened because of all the controversy surrounding vaccine. Despite the fact that it can prevent potentially life-threatening diseases, people are paying less attention to those infections because they are rarely seen nowadays. So people start to look at the vaccine and the possible side effects and now they fear that the vaccine itself might be more harmful than it is helpful. Although there are some objections for the use of vaccinations, I strongly support it for many reasons.
...rsonal stance. What about the children who aren’t old enough or healthy enough to be vaccinated? Or the children who have been vaccinated, but the vaccine didn’t work for them? These children depend on the immunity of the people around them to maintain their health. In healthcare terms, this is called, “herd immunity.” A good example of why herd immunity is important would be the case of a 3 week old from Transylvania County whom contracted pertussis or “whooping cough” last September and died from it. (ncdhhs.gov 2013) This child was not old enough to be vaccinated against the disease and solely depended on the immunity of the people around her to keep her safe. When parents opt out of vaccinating their children, they are breaking down the total immunity within their communities thus making these unfortunate people who can’t protect themselves more vulnerable.
Many people come to the United States of America in order to live freely and make choices based on their personal morals. Considering the fact that America is known for being the “land of the free”, people should be able to choose whether or not they want to get vaccinated. People should have the right to reject vaccinations for whatever reason it may be, whether it’s religious beliefs, health concerns, or lack of belief in the vaccination systems. Personally, Vaccinations have benefited me and my health, and I choose to get vaccinated. I choose to get vaccinated because I strongly believe in a way it helps build my immune system and keeps me from getting sick or catching diseases. However, people have different beliefs than mine. Therefore
A beautiful, perfectly healthy baby is delivered into the world, only to be poked and prodded with needles just minutes upon its arrival, in the name of protection. Parents are practically forced to give their children all of the latest and greatest vaccinations without any other options. I believe that most vaccines are unnecessary, and it should be entirely up to the individual to make the decision on whether or not to be vaccinated. They should never be mandatory for any reason because it is your choice to decide what goes into your body, and your choice alone.
By relinquishing the right of adults to choose whether they get vaccinated or not, the government is devaluing the individual, in essence, the government is putting the collective ahead of the group, this concept is a key foundation in democratic centralism, better known as Communism. Individual rights was a huge basis on the foundation of the US(US Constitution), denying the rights of the individuals to chooses whether they get or not, breaks this foundation(Darrell). Requiring vaccination also brings many issues into play, such as making the time to take all the vaccinations, and many vaccinations can’t be taken all at once, and this results in them breaking their normal schedule. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, a former ophthalmologist, agrees while vaccines are a wondrous thing, but freedom should not be compromised in the sake of universal vaccination(Rand
How would you feel if your child was to catch a deadly disease at school from another student that had not been vaccinated. For many years, vaccinations have been forced unto babies and smaller children to help prevent a future epidemic such as the ones from many centuries ago. Later within the years after vaccinations seem to have been proven effective and slightly popular, they became mandatory for a student to be vaccinated before being able to enroll into a school. Most parents went along with the new rule ,but there were still many parents that strongly disagreed and felt that it violated their liberty to make decisions for their child 's lives. I personally believe that vaccinations should be forced among students for reason such as: combat deadly diseases, suppress
Vaccines are becoming increasingly hazardous for many children and parents are not being informed about the safety of their children. Current reports are linking vaccines to serious life-threatening disorders such as asthma, autism, immune system dysfunction, and mental retardation (Williams). These recent revelations are causing an increasing amount of people to claim religious and medical exemptions from vaccines. From 1999 to 2006, exemptions have more than doubled from 9,722 to 24,919 (Cronin). It is very clear that vaccinations are posing many problems for parents everywhere. Each day researchers are finding out about vaccines and are realizing that there are a lot more risks than benefits. Dr Phillip F. Incao explains: “Today, far more children suffer from allergies and other chronic immune system disorders than from life-threatening infectious disease. It is neither reasonable nor prudent to persist in presuming that the benefits of any vaccination outweigh its risk” (qtd in Spaker). While infectious diseases are becoming uncommon there is no need for any person to get vaccinated.
Vaccines against diphtheria, polio, pertussis, measles, mumps and rubella, and more recent additions of hepatitis B and chicken pox, have given humans powerful immune guards to ward off unwelcome sickness. And thanks to state laws that require vaccinations for kids enrolling in kindergarten, the U.S. presently enjoys the highest immunization rate ever at 77%. Yet bubbling beneath these national numbers is the question about vaccine safety. Driven by claims that vaccinations can be associated with autism, increasing number of parents are raising questions about whether vaccines are in fact harmful to children, instead of helpful (Park, 2008).