Why Should Parents Should Vaccinate Their Children?

Vaccination Medicine has improved miraculously through time. Doctors can now set bones, rehabilitate muscles, and replace vital organs. However, perhaps there is a more valuable medical tool; vaccination. Despite controversies regarding vaccinations causing autism, parents should vaccinate their children because of the importance of herd immunity and the economic benefits that accompany it. Herd immunity is a practice in which “the risk of infection among susceptible individuals in a population is reduced by the presence and proximity of immune individuals” (Fine et al.). More simply, “a pattern of immunity that should protect a population from invasion of a new infection.” (Fine et al.) Vaccinations have undoubtedly benefitted the human
(Meyer et al.). However, many still decide that vaccination is not imperative to them or their children while the evidence is stacked towards the medicine. All the while, potentially putting them and others at risk. “The very first vaccine- for smallpox -curtailed and finally eradicated the most devastating infectious disease ever to strike humanity” (Calfee). Yet, herd immunity can only work if enough people are vaccinated. “Examples illustrate how the direct effect of immunity in reducing infection or infectiousness in certain individuals can decrease the risk of infection among those who remain susceptible in the population” (Fine et al.). By immunizing the majority of the population, the people who cannot be vaccinated will have less risk of infection because they will be surrounded by those who do not carry diseases. It is the responsibility of parents to vaccinate, not only for the obvious benefit of healthier children, but also to protect those around them. “The most important truth by far: vaccines are still probably the most valuable medical tool ever invented, and the failure to use them would be a disaster of epic proportions”
“In 1994, the U.S. government began a program called Vaccines for Children, which provides vaccines to children who would otherwise not be able to afford them. This program is estimated not only to have saved countless children from illness and death, but also to have saved nearly $259 billion in direct costs and $1.38 trillion in total societal costs” (Naprawa). These staggering numbers themselves nearly argue the point sufficiently. Even if only the financial benefits of vaccinating were considered, that would be enough reason to support vaccinations. “For example, the cost per hospitalization for an infection with hemophilic influenza type B (Hib), a very serious bacteria illness, with resulting meningitis can cost over $43,000. An estimated 19,000 cases of Hib infection will be prevented over the lifetimes of children born in 2009 because of routine immunization, saving an estimated $1.8 billion in disease-treating costs” (Naprawa). Studies have been done and estimate that if we were to vaccinated against just three diseases in “the world’s 73 poorest countries, it would save and estimated $63 billion in treatment and lost productivity costs”. These statistics show the obvious and remarkable positives to world-wide vaccinations. Economically, it has benefitted the government immeasurably. Medically, vaccines are very nearly a miracle. “And the specific MMR-related