The Importance Of Vaccines

One famous proverb says, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Death itself is indeed inevitable; however, advances in medical technologies and practices allow man to escape death from a plethora of causes. One of these causes was infectious disease pandemics. For thousands of years, infectious diseases such as Smallpox, Measles, Tetanus, and Polio have ravaged mankind. Catching one of these perilous diseases usually meant suffering, and many times death. However, the development of vaccinations changed everything. People no longer have to fear facing these deadly diseases, as vaccines have made their effects almost inexistent. In medical history, very few breakthroughs can rival the significance of that

This immune response creates antibodies, the blood proteins that fight the specified infection. However, the pathogen is not the sole ingredient of the vaccine. Certain materials, such as thimerosal, gelatin, formaldehyde, and aluminum are used in various vaccines (Should). These materials in larger amounts would pose risks to health of those being vaccinated, but the trace amounts in vaccines pose little to no risk to human health (Should). For different vaccines, various methods are used to create the final product that is administered to a patient. For instance, the MMR, Measles Mumps and Rubella Vaccine, is passed through chick embryo shells (Saffer 89). This step may not seem significant, but the one step in the the process can create allergic reactions for those allergic to eggs. All in all, vaccines are a conglomerate of different ingredients partnered with either a dead or weakened pathogen with the desired effect of stimulating the production of antibodies by the patient’s immune

One may think, “Does it not put someone at an economic disadvantage in the first place just to pay for the vaccine?” Many people do pay for vaccines, however, government programs do exist to aid in the financial efforts to make vaccinations affordable for everyone (Malone 268). This shows that purchasing a vaccine does not necessarily place someone at an economic disadvantage. Once someone is vaccinated, the financial benefits are evident. The beneficiary does not get sick as often, allowing them to not miss work and lose income as frequently. Also, not contracting diseases saves money that would have otherwise been spent on doctor and hospital visits, treatments, and medications. If the health benefits were not enough, the financial benefits prove that vaccines are the moral and pragmatic way to approach one’s