It is important to take any measure necessary to protect the ones you love and yourself. Vaccines and the process of immunization are one of those few ways that you can do so. Immunization is the process of immunizing a person from infectious diseases which typically are administered through vaccinations. For example, newborn babies are advised to get vaccinated right after birth. Additionally, doctors require babies to get booster shots all throughout the first few years of life. The immunizations help build up their immune systems that way they keep from spreading and catching contagious diseases.  However, along the way misconceptions have been made and people began choosing not to vaccinate. Some believe that these treatments are a hoax and do more harm than good—causing illness instead of preventing it. Others choose not to vaccinate because of their religious practices or beliefs. Lastly, some believe that vaccinations are merely for profit. On the contrary, vaccines are seen as one of the greatest public health achievements and have saved the lives of many across the world every day. By looking at immunization cost, the ingredients within these vaccines, and the requirements and need for vaccines, we can see that vaccines better our health and are safe. Therefore, people should become more aware of vaccine benefits and immunize as recommended and as needed. 

In the modern world of medicine, it has been widely debated on whether or not vaccines actually cause health problems. While most get their recommended immunizations whenever their doctor encourages, many others choose not to. A reason for this could be that they believe that immunizations would cause more problems to their health than it would if they chose to refuse suggested vaccinations. There has been some concern raised whether or not vaccines are the reason for some disorders. One of the disorders believed to be caused by vaccines is autism. Autism, or ASD, is caused by abnormalities in the brain that causes it not to be able to function properly (Ha et al. sec. 3). Although some may still be researching whether or not vaccines cause autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control, there is no connection between vaccinations and ASD. After extensive research, a study done in 2013 by the CDC, further proved this conclusion to be true. In this study, antigens from vaccines in the first two years were looked at. The numbers of antigens received from vaccines to children who developed ASD and who did not develop ASD were the same (CDC “Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism” sec. 3). This further concluded the discussion on whether the antigens in vaccinations cause disorders. Other than antigens, people also believe the ingredients within these vaccinations are what cause these disorders (CDC “Vaccines Do Not Cause Autism” sec. 4). One of the ingredients in questioning that many are concerned that causes ASD is thimerosal. Because it is a mercury-based ingredient, parents worry that too much mercury can be harmful to their children’s health. Mercury is a very toxic substance and it is true that if too much is ingested, it could harm an individual’s health. Some also believe that there is a link between vaccinations and ADD or ADHD because of the thimerosal ingredient that it contains as well. However, in both cases, there have been studies shown that thimerosal does not cause ASD, ADHD, or ADD (Dodson sec. 2). Research has proven that children who receive vaccinations containing thimerosal are not put at a higher risk of acquiring ADD or ADHD compared to the children who did not receive the vaccine. Thimerosal does not affect our bodies because of the type of mercury, ethyl-mercury, found in these vaccines. Because they contain ethyl-mercury instead of methylmercury, vaccines are broken down and pass through the body more quickly (PublicHealth.org sec. 3). However, thimerosal has since then been removed from most vaccines and should not pose a threat to a child’s health (Heyworth “Vaccines” sec. 7). Other ingredients within vaccinations such as formaldehyde, aluminum, gelatin, and much more have been questioned as well (PublicHealth.org sec. 3-8). Minor reactions can occur because of allergies to the following ingredients. Most importantly, studies have shown that these components also have no connection to any of the given disorders (Dodson sec. 3). These ingredients do not pose a threat to our bodies because they are either in small doses or are not harmful to begin with (PublicHealth.org sec. 3-8). Some medical professionals believe that developing these disorders after receiving a vaccination is completely coincidental (Heyworth “Vaccines” sec. 9). According to an article published by the World Health Organization, there is more risk of becoming sick by a vaccine-preventable disease opposed to the vaccine itself.  

   Refusing to immunize not only increases a risk in individual health, but also raises and increases the risk in health for a community as a whole (Omer et al. sec. 15). A new study has shown that the measles virus has been easily contracted through contact between individuals. Of the 1416 children with cases in this study, only 970 had a vaccination history. Of that number, 574 were unvaccinated despite the fact that they were eligible for the immunization shot and 405 chose to omit due to nonmedical exemptions (Phadke et al. sec. 4). The remaining number of children who contracted measles received this disease because of being ineligible at the time to receive the vaccination. Those who chose not to have their children vaccinated had put not only their children at risk, but other children at risk as well. Not only will you be protecting the generation you live in from dangerous diseases, but future generations as well. Vaccinations have been proven to help reduce or extinguish certain diseases from society. The smallpox virus is an extremely deadly disease that decimated the population of any civilization that was infected with it. Now, thanks to vaccinations, smallpox has been eliminated over time and is only found in extremely sporadic cases. Because it is no longer common for a child to contract this disease, the smallpox vaccine is no longer required. These medical miracles have helped eliminate diseases such as Polio and Rubella which were once feared in the United States (Goodson sec. 3). In third world countries, such as Burma and Bangladesh, natives do not have the same healthcare available to them as we do in America. There are many doctors who go over there and help vaccinate the people and offer healthcare to those who need it. There have been recent concerns that the people of those countries could develop polio and measles. Health professionals are trying desperately to get people vaccinated for these diseases (United UNHCR sec. 4). This goes to show that if health professionals are this worried about immunizing people in another country against these infectious diseases, people should take precautions and get their suggested vaccinations. Starting to vaccinate as early as possible can really go a long way. If parents continue to vaccinate their children completely, as medical professionals suggest, then we can help prevent our children and ourselves from getting certain diseases in the future. However, if people do stop taking vaccinations that are required/suggested diseases such as whooping cough, polio and measles will once again become common in the United States, putting the population as a whole at a high risk (Brady sec. 3).

Ever since the start of the education system, it is a common assumption that public schools are a breeding ground for germs and diseases. At school, kids share toys and touch the same things daily. Along with children constantly picking things up and touching each other, kids cough and put anything and everything into their mouths without thinking much about it. Coming in constant contact with so many different people and things, kids are prone to getting infection and sicknesses. With other people’s children being in their care, daycares and schools may require you to have certain vaccinations before you register and start. Also, kids are more vulnerable to acquire these diseases because their immune systems are not as strong as adults. These diseases that we, as adults, can get over easily may be detrimental to a young child’s health. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, some daycares may deny your child attendance at their facility if they do not have certain vaccinations. This not only protects your child from disease, but other children as well. Immunization is not only required before attending your Primary Education schools, but also when going off to college. As college students, we are required to have certain vaccinations before starting schools and living in residence halls. This reason being, most college students are living in a new environment and are coming in contact with many things they never have come in contact before. For example, many freshmen choose to or are required to live in dorms. Most of these are suite-style meaning two individuals share a room and a bathroom with two other people. Living in such close contact with new people day-to-day can put individuals at risk for illness. Some schools, such as The University of South Carolina, put an academic hold on a student’s registration until proof of immunization is given. Those who live in residence halls or dorms are suggested to receive the Meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Postelnick sec. 5). College students are also suggested to take the HPV, Flu, and Tdap vaccine which protects against diseases such as tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (Postelnick sec. 6-8). 

Vaccination is also important when it comes to traveling. According to the Center for Disease Control, it is highly recommended for someone who is about to travel to be up to date on their vaccinations. Although diseases such as measles and pertussis are no longer common in the United States, as I mentioned before, there are still parts of the world where these diseases still do exist because other countries are either not as medically advanced as the United States is or do not have the healthcare available to them for a number of different reasons. Measles outbreaks have happened within the US because of travelers who bring it home from other parts of the world (Brady sec. 2). Also, when traveling, you may be exposed to certain diseases and germs that you are normally not exposed to every day. Because of the lack of exposure to these diseases, your body does not have as much immunity, or none at all, to fight back. It is important to tell your doctor of the exact destination of where you are visiting so you can be treated with proper vaccines.

Some choose not to vaccinate because of the belief that they are only there as profit for the government. This, however, is not logical. People also choose to omit because vaccinations may be too pricey for them at the time. When comparing the prices of vaccines and medical bills for vaccine-preventable diseases, the numbers begin to rise for the treatment of non-vaccinated patients. According to the CDC, a vaccination to prevent Chickenpox can cost up to $202.41 which is on the pricey end of vaccinations. If a child was to come in contact with Chickenpox without the vaccination however and catch it, the price has no comparison to the vaccination. On average, a child may miss 5.5 days to be cared and treated for Chickenpox. During these 5 and a half days, a parent may miss work also which cost on average $160-$345 to come out of their paycheck. In addition, emergency room costs, if needed, can range from $398-$578 per child (Ferson et al. sec 2). The Hepatitis vaccination can cost up to $32.03 which is on the shorter end of prices for vaccinations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention “VFC” table 2). However, to treat hepatitis for those who did not receive the vaccination can cost up to $1000 per day in medications and hospital costs (Toich sec. 5). If vaccinations were just for profit, the government would be shorting themselves out. From the data shown, there is more profit for them in treating the diseases that vaccinations can prevent. Going the route of paying for a vaccination may be pricey in the beginning but looking at the long run of the situation, you would be saving yourself from the hassle. Not only would you be saving money but maybe your life as well. 

It is always important to weigh the risks when it comes to vaccines. Side effects are common with vaccinations just as it is with every other medication. When receiving the measles vaccine, there is a 1 in 30000thh chance of your child’s platelet counts temporarily decreasing. On the contrary, if one does not receive the vaccine for measles, there is a 1 in 2000th chance that the child will develop measles and die (Heyworth sec. 10). The DTaP vaccine has a small chance of causing seizures (1 in 14000) or acute encephalitis (11 in 1 million). Choosing not to receive this vaccination, however, can result in contracting diphtheria (1 in 20 fatality rate), tetanus (1 in 10 fatality rate), or pertussis (1 in 1500 fatality rate) (Heyworth sec. 10). It is important to know vaccinations are capable of causing effects on your body beyond a minor side effect. However, these numbers are small in chance for that happening. In comparison to the outcomes of not being vaccinated from these diseases, these side effects are better than the outcome of death.

Some people do choose not to vaccinate. The choice to vaccinate can put you in between a rock and a hard place. Knowing what to do is not always easy. Not everyone’s body is the same. We do not all react the same to medications. An ingredient in a vaccine can cause a reaction in one patient that would not cause a reaction in another. If you know of certain ingredients that you are allergic to, then it is okay to exempt from that vaccination. Financially, some do not have the means to pay for a vaccine. Usually, when receiving a vaccine, you are not only receiving just one. You may be receiving multiple vaccines to prevent various diseases. This may begin to get pricey. Religious beliefs are also an understandable reason for choosing to exempt from a vaccine or multiple vaccines. Christian Scientists and the Dutch Reformed Church are among these religious groups who typically exempt from vaccinations (Blumberg sec. 6). Groups such as these refuse vaccinations because they believe in the power of healing through prayer and also believe that they are ruining their relationship with God if they do vaccinate (Blumberg sec. 14). All of these are understandable reasons to refuse vaccinations.

Understandably, some take caution when it comes to vaccinations. Whether it be for health reasons or beliefs, some do choose to omit. However, it is essential to know all the facts and consequences that one is taking when choosing not to immunize. Misconceptions of vaccinations can end up being dangerous to your health. Whether you believe it or not, you may be doing more harm than good by not receiving the suggested immunizations. By immunizing you are avoiding preventable medical costs as well as lost income for days missed at work. Most importantly, it is essential to protect yourself, loved ones, friends, and your community.
