Carlee Williams
Mrs. Heather Timmons
American Literature 132-03
Thursday March 20, 2014
Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks?
Although vaccination has proven to be an effective means of preventing serious
childhood illness, there is still question over whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Through
much research we can assume that it has been successfully proven that the benefits truly do
outweigh the risks; which is why many people should choose to vaccinate their children.
“Vaccines are among the 20th
preventing disease, disability, and death.” (Risk vs. Benefit) During the years 1951-1954 there
were over 1,879 deaths from the disease polio. In 1955 the polio vaccine was licensed in the U.S.
By the year 1991 polio was eliminated from the Western Hemisphere. We can see the dramatic
change with vaccinations throughout history. Scientists are still looking for more ways to assist
the small amount of risk factors in our society today.
Vaccines are a type of substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and help
prevent several diseases. There are many benefits to vaccinations, vaccines are examples of
taking small risks to enjoy large benefits. Our society should ask themselves the question would
you rather say you took the chance in vaccinating your children or waiting to see the terrible
outcome from not taking that risk. Although you may think vaccination is dangerous you are
helping not only the individual but also protecting your community from diseases spread from
person-to-person. Parents and patients are revealed to a lot of false information. They here in the
media, the news, the internet, and the public; false information about vaccines. Even parents that
c...
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...ic achievements in the United States during the
20th
century.” (Risk vs. Benefit) Without vaccination we would lose our friends and family
each day. There are vaccines that have eliminated poliomyelitis in America; and has controlled
measles, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, and other infectious diseases. We have only reached the
beginning with vaccination in our society today. With technology improving there is a clearer
road for a risk free vaccine process. Now that we have reached the 21st
and effective vaccines will be strongly continued. Vaccines have truly reduced the number of
people who get infectious diseases. Without vaccines, a widespread of preventable diseases
would return. Which would increase illness and disability. Ultimately without vaccination we
would have a higher risk of the worst disease possible, death.
century promoting safe
At first polio was a troubling prospect when it first reared its ugly head in the United States of America. In a noble effort to be rid of polio, America as a whole was to adopt stringent sanitation measures. Everywhere, especially the home was to be spotless and clean in order to try and prevent the contraction of polio. This coupled with the view that America as a western nation seemed impervious to such a lowly disease tried to assuage American fear of the disease. Despite the measures commonly adopted throughout the myriad of cities and towns, polio still managed to spread around the country and wreak havoc taking thousands of lives. An outbreak that ravaged America claimed nearly 27,000 lives in a terrible reckoning before it finally subsided. This and several other troubling outbreaks
Paralytic poliomyelitis, "polio", held a reign of terror over this nation for decades. But unless you were born before 1955, polio may seem to be just another ephemeral disease that has been nonexistent for years. Those born before 1955 remember having a great fear of this horrible disease which crippled thousands of once active, healthy children. This disease had no cure and no identified causes, which made it all the more terrifying. People did everything that they had done in the past to prevent the spread of disease, such as quarantining areas, but these tactics never seemed to work. Polio could not be contained. Many people did not have the money to care for a family member with polio. This was one of the reasons the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis was organized. The March of Dimes, the fund raiser headed by the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, raised thousands and thousands of dollars to help people care for their polio stricken family members and to aid in the cost of research for a vaccine that would put an end to this misery that affected the lives of so many people.
Sixty-five years ago, the US was facing the brunt of one of the most feared epidemics of the 20th century. Polio had been lingering in the region since its discovery in 1894, but was now running full throttle. This was the beginning marker of an era that changed the face of medicine and propelled the U.S. forward as the worldwide leader in not only medicine, but also innovative pediatric medical care. In the early 1950s frightened parents quarantined their families and entire towns were put on lockdown for fear of transmission of the airborne pathogen. The nation scrambled as 58,000 cases swept through taking with them the lives of 3,145.
“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.
Fifty-nine years after the vaccine was introduced to the world, the number of cases of outbreaks has dropped 99% and only three countries still remain in an epidemic state with the virus, Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In 1994, the WHO Region of the Americas was certified polio-free and in in 2013 only406 reported cases were existent in the world, compared to the 350 000+ cases in 1988. (Who, 2014).
First off I am going to begin with the basics; what is a vaccine? Well a vaccine is a product that produces immunity from a disease it can be administered through needle injections, by mouth, or by aerosol. (Basics, n.d.) Sounds simple right well that leads people to wonder how do they work? They help develop immunity by acting as the infection, it is only acting as the infection so
...s teacher, classmates, friends and family members at risk. Immunization and vaccines save millions of lives each year. Vaccines imitate infection, but do not cause illness, what they do is cause the immune system to produce T-lymphocytes, antibodies and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that disease in the future. The bacteria and virus’ that cause life threatening diseases still exist, but because of vaccination, there are 90% less cases of these illnesses in America today. Less than 1% of children have severe side effects to vaccinations. In the recent past many celebrities have chosen to voice their opinions regarding vaccinations. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has done extensive research on the link between the rise in the cases of Autism and vaccinations, since Wakefield’s 1998 study and has found vaccinations to be safe and effective.
Spencer, Steven M. "Where Are We Now on Polio?" Saturday Evening Post 10 Sept. 1955: 19+. MasterFILE Premier. Web. 6 Mar. 2014.
diseases, many of which are deadly. Some people seem to think vaccine side effects can cause
Poliomyelitis, also known as Polio, is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system. Most victims to this disease are younger than five years of age; they are more likely to get this disease than any other age group. Out of two hundred people infected with the polio disease one is most likely to result in paralysis. The Polio Virus has decreased greatly since the Polio Vaccine was developed. In 2010 a WHO (World Health Organization) pole reported only 1,352 cases worldwide. Since the Polio Vaccine was developed the U.S has not has a single Polio case since 1979.
Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a contagious disease which was first seen in England in 1789 by Michael Underwood. The first outbreaks were reported in early 19th century and it was first reported in United States in 1843. At first, there were no any treatments found against polio. The epidemics were increasing severely through northern hemisphere. 21,000 cases of paralytic polio were seen in United States in 1952. It took a longer time for polio to be recognized as a major problem in developing countries. As the disease was spreading very faster, first routine immunization was introduced worldwide in 1970s, to control the disease in many developing countries. Polio was eliminated from the western hemisphere in around 1994 because of the widespread vaccination.
Many people think that some diseases like polio are no longer around. This is not true.
In Conclusion, Understanding Polio’s etiology, history and epidemiology, as well as proper treatments will assist in avoiding its return. Although polio has been known to substantially affect a wide population in a small amount of time, eradication of this disease may also be accomplished in a short period of time. Scientists and medical professionals continue to research this disease in order to better understand and maintain it for many years to come. There are still aspect of the disease people do not understand that may be vital for the future of a polio-free world.
... Tarrant and Thomson (2008), parents readily admitted that they had knowledge discrepancies in regards to childhood vaccines but believed that the benefits of immunization overshadowed any risks that might be present. The biggest source of information for these parents was family members and peers. Along with this information wide-ranging public health programs and mandatory vaccination requirements for school entry made certain that childhood immunization recommendations were followed.
Recently the number of parents who are intentionally delaying their children’s general vaccinations is increasing. The controversy that is causing the number of delayed vaccinations to go up is based on the fact that there are negative articles connecting them to autism and other similar diseases. When parents are researching vaccinations and they read those negative articles, those articles make them believe that vaccines cause autism. Vaccines are important because they protect humans from preventable diseases and getting them could save human lives. Vaccines are important throughout life no matter what some research suggests. Parents are now more likely to intentionally delay vaccines because of negative press, even though vaccines