Vaccines are a hot topic, and it seems one needs to be on one side or the other. While the vaccines are constantly being monitored and improved, there is a minuscule risk with the introduction of an inactive or dead diseases-carrying antigen injected into the human body. Therefore, this minor risk can result in a group of people shying away from being vaccinated. However, research has proved the weighed benefits from vaccines outweigh the risks anticipated (MacNeil, 2016). There is a big list of vaccinations in the world. The US has been recorded to use more shots than nearly all of Asian and Europe combined (Feikin, Scott & Gessner, 2014). Many of the vaccines are given multiple times in a child’s life, and a repetition done in adulthood. Vaccination is necessary for maximum body functioning. Without vaccines especially during childhood and while aging, the body defence weakens and for an individual to remain vigilant, it is a need to have a disease-fighting system.
The extensive list of vaccinations provided by the US has raised debate about whether some of the vaccines are necessary. Studies conducted indicated there was no need to take many vaccines (Feikin, Scott & Gessner, 2014). Instead, only the significant infections like polio and diphtheria should be recommended. However, recent statistics have proved diseases like Polio have significantly declined, and Flu vaccine which is not compulsory in some states is causing significant deaths (Feikin, Scott & Gessner, 2014). Therefore, there is need to take the vaccines despite the long list provided. Especially if an individual is working in a highly exposed environment, taking vaccines occasionally will prevent some infections.
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Some people note if a person gets vaccinated as a child there is no need to get more vaccine as an adult. Two reasons to support their argument are first, more vaccines as a grown up means exposing the body to unnecessary risks. Second, it is not economical to keep taking shots (MacNeil, 2016). However, this is a misconception that once vaccinated during childhood should not be vaccinated again and this concept has misled many people. As the body ages, the defence mechanism weakens, and there is need to take vaccines to boost the immunity. The world infections are always getting tougher, and the body needs to be prepared to defend itself. Regarding the economic cost, when a doctor recommends a vaccine, the insurance policy needs to cover the cost, thus no need for financial burdens.
The risks associated with vaccines are insignificant (MacNeil, 2016). However, some people have trouble processing that it is always better to prevent a disease than treating one. There is a lot of time and resources saved when individuals get vaccinated. Through vaccines, some infections are taken away like measles, and the individual doesn’t have to think of getting the disease in his/her lifetime. Indeed it is right to allow the body to have a fighting chance by developing its antibodies to fight the infections, but there are infections better dealt with through vaccination.
There is the need for parents to have confidence when their children attend preschool they will be safe. Some parents are noted to be ignorant and believe their children are safe even without vaccinations. Moreover, in the early years, there were no vaccines. Instead, the physicians advised the parents to let their kids mingle with others and with time the children would develop immune systems to fight off diseases in the future (Feikin, Scott & Gessner, 2014). However, to ensure all the children are safe from unnecessary infections, it is only right when the governments take up initiatives to ensure all the children are vaccinated. With restrictions, conscientious objections regarding child vaccination will no longer be seen as a valid justification. In summary, the introduction of safe vaccines have saved lives, and there are no valid reasons to stop being vaccinated.
References
Feikin, D. R., Scott, J. A. G., & Gessner, B. D. (2014). Use of vaccines as probes to define disease burden. The Lancet , 383 (9930), 1762-1770.
MacNeil, J. R. (2016). Recommendations for use of meningococcal conjugate vaccines in HIV-infected persons—Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2016. MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report , 65 .
