The Argument over Unvaccinated Children in Public Schools
Non-vaccinated Children Allowed to Attend Public Schools – This Is Not Acceptable
Assignment 4 – Persuasive Paper Part 1: Revision of a Problem Exists
English 215
February 24, 2013
This is a question that every parent must consider when they allow their school-aged child to attend public or even private school. How do you feel about allowing your child to attend school with children who have not been vaccinated? Would it bother you? I’m sure there are several different answers to these questions. This paper will focus on the reasons why unvaccinated children should not be allowed to attend public schools as well as the benefits of vaccination. Every parent wants to raise a healthy child. Every parent wants to make sure their child is protected from infectious diseases and wants to do everything in their power to prevent any illness in the future. Every day there are thousands of babies born in this world and as parents we know that their immune systems are not ready to take on the illnesses that this world has. So why not protect your child? The American Academy of Pediatrics state that childhood vaccines are 90 – 99% effective in preventing disease. The risks of not being vaccinated far outweigh the small risks associated with vaccination. This is an issue that some parents face each time we prepare our children to attend public schools. We all know the common cold is air born and school aged children are prone to picking up that strand from another child. There are also other diseases that children can pick up from their classmates like chickenpox, measles and pertussis (whooping cough). If we vaccinate our children when they are scheduled to be, they are less likely to be sick in the future. For many years there have been reasons for a child not being vaccinated. Some individuals have claimed that it is due to religious views, the cost of vaccinations, or that vaccinations do more harm than good. Some of these individuals would also like
Assignment 4 – Persuasive Paper Part 1: Revision of a Problem Exists
English 215
February 24, 2013
This is a question that every parent must consider when they allow their school-aged child to attend public or even private school. How do you feel about allowing your child to attend school with children who have not been vaccinated? Would it bother you? I’m sure there are several different answers to these questions. This paper will focus on the reasons why unvaccinated children should not be allowed to attend public schools as well as the benefits of vaccination. Every parent wants to raise a healthy child. Every parent wants to make sure their child is protected from infectious diseases and wants to do everything in their power to prevent any illness in the future. Every day there are thousands of babies born in this world and as parents we know that their immune systems are not ready to take on the illnesses that this world has. So why not protect your child? The American Academy of Pediatrics state that childhood vaccines are 90 – 99% effective in preventing disease. The risks of not being vaccinated far outweigh the small risks associated with vaccination. This is an issue that some parents face each time we prepare our children to attend public schools. We all know the common cold is air born and school aged children are prone to picking up that strand from another child. There are also other diseases that children can pick up from their classmates like chickenpox, measles and pertussis (whooping cough). If we vaccinate our children when they are scheduled to be, they are less likely to be sick in the future. For many years there have been reasons for a child not being vaccinated. Some individuals have claimed that it is due to religious views, the cost of vaccinations, or that vaccinations do more harm than good. Some of these individuals would also like
References: American Academy of Pediatrics, "Why Does My Child Need to be Immunized?" www.healthychildren.org (accessed Dec. 17, 2009) Stephen Engelberg, "Vaccine: Assessing Risks and Benefits," New York Times, Dec Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, "About the VAERS Program," vaers.hhs.gov (accessed Jan. 6, 2010) Every Child By Two, "Economic Value of Vaccines," www.ecbt.org (accessed Jan Gary L. Freed, et al., "Parental Vaccine Safety Concerns in 2009," Pediatrics, Mar. 1, 2009 Health Resources and Services Administration, "National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act Vaccine Injury Table, www.hrsa.gov (accessed Jan February 24, 2013 For every problem, there is a solution