Influenza Vaccines

A seven week old baby, Colin Durkin, died of exposure to pertussis or “whooping cough.” Young infants, including Colin, are not able to get vaccines that can protect them from harmful diseases until the age of 2 months. A young 2 year-old girl, Lois, died of Diphtheria after not being vaccinated (Hardman). Two year old Gianna, from Sioux Falls, died from the flu virus. “We’d like to tell other families to take the flu seriously.” “It may look like the common cold at first, but flu viruses can turn deadly,” said Gianna’s mother. Gianna did not get a flu shot because the family didn't make time to bring her in (Wehrkamp). Vaccinations should be mandatory for children; they can prevent harmful diseases, and save time and money. Before
One morning he woke up with a 104.3° temperature. His parents tried to get a doctor’s appointment right away, but was not able to get one until the next morning during the afternoon. When at the doctor’s office the doctor confirmed that Luke had the flu, but the doctor overlooked something important. Luke had mucus filling up in his lungs. The next morning Luke was coughing up blood and couldn't breathe very well. His parents rushed him to the emergency room, and Luke was put in the ICU. After tests were done, he was officially diagnosed with H1N1, which is swine flu or influenza. He couldn’t breathe without a ventilator, so the doctors put him in a coma so he wouldn't feel any discomfort. After 12 days, he came out of his coma; however, the tube remained in his throats for 5 more days. After this, Luke was put into rehab to regain some basic living skills. After this horrible experience, Luke returned home weighing less and feeble. Today, Luke serves as a speaker for Every Child by Two, raising awareness about how important influenza vaccines are
In vaccines they may carry life-threatening allergic reactions. Nevertheless, that only happens in about 1 in a million children(procon.org). Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, and MMR vaccines can cause long-term such as seizures, comas, and permanent brain damage (procon.org).
Vaccines also contain harmful ingredients. In a flu shot it contains an organic mercury compound that some physicians say is linked to autism (procon.org). Autism is a developmental disorder that makes communicating and interacting difficult. Aluminum is used in some vaccines, and aluminum in the body can cause brain and nerve damage.
With knowledge of the past, money and time saved, and safe traveling; children’s lives are better. In conclusion, vaccines have helped eliminate diseases; have stopped the diseases from spreading from person to person; and have saved millions of lives. Now imagine the world with no deadly disease and happy, healthy families. That is the world I want to live