Arguments Against Flu Vaccines

Currently, 14 routine vaccinations are required in all 50 states for children attending public schools , 8 of which were developed by the same person (Huston). “A vaccine is a substance used to stimulate the production of antibodies and provide immunity against one or several diseases, prepared from the causative agent of a disease, its products, or a synthetic substitution, treated to act as an antigen without inducing the disease” (Vaccine+definition - Google Search). In the United States, vaccines date back as far as 1712; however, China, Africa, and Turkey have documented the use of vaccines since 1000 A.D. (Huston). Since the beginning of vaccine use in the United States over 300 years ago, more than 100 vaccines have been created to save
Not all vaccines are effective in all children. Additionally, after a vaccine is made the virus it protects against can mutate, rendering the vaccine useless and ineffective in preventing infection. The Center for Disease Control says that, “By the time flu season rolled around in the Northern Hemisphere, more than two thirds of the H3N2 viruses making people sick no longer matched the formulation in the flu vaccine” (CDC: Flu Vaccine Only 23 Percent Effective This Season, but Still Better than Nothing). With this information in mind, it may seem that vaccines are useless; however, vaccines do more than merely preventing disease. Dr. Acosta insists that “in an immunized person does become sick, the disease will be less severe” (Mozes). Furthermore, treatments are provided for those who become infected. Tom Frieden, director of Center for Disease Control says “CDC officials repeatedly urged people who get sick to seek influenza antiviral medications, which can lessen symptoms, shorten the duration of the infection, and help prevent more serious complications such as pneumonia” (CDC: Flu Vaccine Only 23 Percent Effective This Season, but Still Better than Nothing). Vaccines protect against specific pinpointed diseases however, can be part of a healing much larger. When being vaccinated, you are protecting yourself from the disease as well as any other diseases that could come to follow, saving money and time potentially spent being sick. Protecting yourself in any way possible is the best way to stere clear of illness during the flu