The Vaccine War
Frontline Assignment
The Vaccine War
I have three children, all of whom have been vaccinated. To me, it was an important factor in keeping my children healthy and safe. Some parents, however, do not feel that way toward vaccinations. These parents feel that it is safer to their child’s health to not vaccinate their child. Their argument that they have a right to keep their children safe by not vaccinating may be valid, but I think it is more important to protect the community as a whole.
The Center for Disease Control, or CDC, has a recommended vaccine schedule. They strive for all children to be immunized by age six. The immunizations are for illnesses such as polio, measles, rubella and varicella to name a few. The schedule is a series of 29 physician administered doses that fight 14 different diseases (Center). The Frontline video I watched was about the fight between agencies such as the CDC, who feel that these immunizations are for the good of society as a whole, and parents who look at some of the extremely rare side effects of these vaccines, and choose not to vaccinate their children.
I believe that when the CDC and public officials make these recommendations and parents follow them, the biggest benefit is prevention. These immunizations prevent future outbreaks of these illnesses. They also prevent infants that are too young to be vaccinated, some children, immune deficient people and the elderly from getting ill, having to be quarantined, and dying in many cases. Public and private insurance companies, as well as individuals that carry no insurance and people that have large co-pays and deductibles, also benefit from individuals getting the immunizations as recommended. If there were to be an outbreak from lack of immunizations, the financial and social impact to people could be immense. Between hospital bills, prescription charges, missed school by children, missed work by concerned parents, and funeral charges in the extreme
The Vaccine War
I have three children, all of whom have been vaccinated. To me, it was an important factor in keeping my children healthy and safe. Some parents, however, do not feel that way toward vaccinations. These parents feel that it is safer to their child’s health to not vaccinate their child. Their argument that they have a right to keep their children safe by not vaccinating may be valid, but I think it is more important to protect the community as a whole.
The Center for Disease Control, or CDC, has a recommended vaccine schedule. They strive for all children to be immunized by age six. The immunizations are for illnesses such as polio, measles, rubella and varicella to name a few. The schedule is a series of 29 physician administered doses that fight 14 different diseases (Center). The Frontline video I watched was about the fight between agencies such as the CDC, who feel that these immunizations are for the good of society as a whole, and parents who look at some of the extremely rare side effects of these vaccines, and choose not to vaccinate their children.
I believe that when the CDC and public officials make these recommendations and parents follow them, the biggest benefit is prevention. These immunizations prevent future outbreaks of these illnesses. They also prevent infants that are too young to be vaccinated, some children, immune deficient people and the elderly from getting ill, having to be quarantined, and dying in many cases. Public and private insurance companies, as well as individuals that carry no insurance and people that have large co-pays and deductibles, also benefit from individuals getting the immunizations as recommended. If there were to be an outbreak from lack of immunizations, the financial and social impact to people could be immense. Between hospital bills, prescription charges, missed school by children, missed work by concerned parents, and funeral charges in the extreme
Cited: "Addressing Common Concerns." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 06 Sept. 2011. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 2012 Recommended Immunizations for Children from Birth Through 6 Years Old. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. 04 Mar. 2012. Palfreman, Jon, and Kate McMahon, prods. "The Vaccine War." Frontline. PBS. PBS.org. Public Broadcast System, 27 Apr. 2010. Web. 01 Mar. 2012. "What Would Happen If We Stopped Vaccinations?" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web. 04 Mar. 2012.