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Biology Current Events Paper

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Biology Current Events Paper
Patrick Krahenbuhl
October 10, 2014
Pros and Cons to Vaccinations in Children
Almost everyone has heard of the issue between the benefits and dangers of childhood vaccines. As a parent you want to do what is best for your child and protect them. Some people have different opinions on what that specifically entails when it comes to childhood vaccines. Vaccinations are a controversial topic that many people talk about, whether it should be mandatory or optional is mainly questioned by parents who feel that the Cons outweigh the Pros. The government says that it is the right thing to do in order for you and your family to be safe from illnesses and diseases. But there have also been some opposed opinions about whether or not it’s worth the risk of being sick once getting vaccinated and if it actually works. The argument on both sides range from first amendment right issues all the way to disabling health concerns. In this essay I plan to enlighten and elaborate on both the positive and negative outlook on vaccinations in infants and children and why parents are so hesitant in vaccinating their children.
Doctors claim there are five important vaccinations that every child should receive. They are: the Chicken Pox Vaccine, MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) Vaccine, Hepatitis Vaccine, HIB Vaccine, and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine. The Chicken pox vaccine is probably the most common vaccination. Chicken pox is an airborne disease that spreads quickly among younger children. Some symptoms include fever and an itchy, red, bumpy rash. Before the vaccination came to pass, around 100 people would die from chicken pox every year on average. Just like anything we inject into our bodies, there are risks to this vaccine but the chances of it happening are slim compared the chances on contracting this disease and possibly dying from it. There are two doses a child should receive of this immunization. They should receive the first dose between the ages of 12-15 months and



Cited: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 24 Jan. 2011.  "Ethical Issues and Vaccines." The History of Vaccines. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, n.d. Web. 11 Dec 2013. Miller, Neil Z. "Given the Risks, Vaccinations Should Not Be Mandated." Should Vaccinations be Mandatory? Ed. Noël Merino. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2010. At Issue. Rpt. from "7 Reasons Schools Should NOT Mandate Vaccines." Thinktwice Global Vaccine Institute, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. Allen, Arthur. "Avoiding Vaccination Is Harmful." Epidemics. Ed. Mary E. Williams. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. from "Bucking the Herd: Parents Who Refuse Vaccination for Their Children May Be Putting Entire Communities at Risk." The Atlantic Monthly 290 (Sept. 2002): 40. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. "Childhood vaccines are safe. Seriously." CNN Wire 1 July 2014. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 10 Sept. 2014.

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