Introduction
Immunisation is a basic requirement recognised internationally in the prevention of common deadly infections that have afflicted and killed millions of people previously. Many children receive inoculations at n early age of their lives to protect them against various infections. Children receive as many as fourteen immunizations, including those for diphtheria, chickenpox, mumps, rotavirus, pneumococcal diseases, whooping cough, and measles. Others are hib, rubella, hepatitis B, flu, tetanus, and polio. Although not many parents are aware of the ingredients of these vaccines and the exposure to so many vaccines may be seen as irksome, prevention from possible dangers posed by these diseases and infections by far outweighs the option of not undergoing the procedure. Despite the fears, childhood vaccinations should be mandatory for all children (unless they have a contraindication), as they are safe, reduce the risk of illness, and protect others from contagious diseases.
Benefits and reasons for vaccines
Today, governments spend huge sums of money to acquire vaccines to immunise children because of understanding the potential problems that various diseases pose to human life and the economy. These diseases are preventable, as a child is exposed to contagious diseases that help the body develop antibodies as a protective mechanism against future infections. Although pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars on research, most of these are bought by governments and given freely to increase uptake. These diseases, such as mumps, measles, pol whooping cough, are yet to be eliminated in many parts of the world, but they have been reduced to insignificant levels with vaccines.
Without vaccines, some of the diseases mentioned can be dangerous to human lives. Outbreaks of these diseases are said to result from parents who choose not to vaccinate their children. Even where diseases do not kill, a person without protection is exposed and likely to develop various complications later in life. Herlihy and Hagood (2012) maintained that medicine does not suffer a limitation of preventing diseases in which children are vaccinated, although treating some of these may not always be possible. Advances in medicine have led to the development of many vaccinations, such as hepatitis, which has been found to reduce the development of liver or cervical cancer considerably.
CDC (Why Immunize?, 2017) noted that vaccines not only prevent disease but are safe and surest way of eliminating some of these diseases. Where vaccinations are not effectively done, outbreaks arise and take even longer to clear, such as was the case of the pertussis epidemic that killed 13000 people in Japan a slowdown on vaccination. Whooping cough also came back and killed people. Some new diseases can arise, which complicate the process of treatment process.
Problems with vaccines
There are fears that the introduction of strains of diseases to children is exposing them to the very diseases that may affect them. Neustaedter (2002) noted that it suppresses the immunity of children. There are also valid reasons why inoculated children react to some of the strains. Besides, some of the diseases that many parents fear are not as deadly as widely considered, and rushing to get vaccinated against them is not necessary. Subsequently, making it mandatory to receive these vaccines is promoting the financial interests of some pharmaceutical companies behind these vaccines.
Myers and Pineda (2008) argued that vaccines that are widely used, leading to reduced immunity, are responsible for medical complications such as asthma. Indeed, the risk faced by these vaccines is considered riskier than what they seek to prevent. It is therefore irrational to seek to prevent disease that is imaginary diseases that are not as dangerous. However, Fredrickson et al. (2004) concluded that it was not possible to estimate the number of people not immunised in the US. This means that the belief that vaccines are dangerous has not been bought by many people despite claims.
There are cases where people react with vaccines as side effects, some of which are serious, but these are rare. Some of the serious problems associated with the Adenovirus vaccine start within two weeks after vaccination, and symptoms can include blood in the stool, pneumonia, and inflammation of the stomach. Each vaccine can have its own mild or serious problems, but most have been widely tested and found to be effective and safe for wide distribution. Additionally, CDC (2017) noted that the hepatitis B vaccine, like any medication, has its mild side effects, but there is hardly any chance of resulting in a serious threat to life. NHS
Conclusion
Vaccination is one of the best things that has happened to the world in the management of diseases and infections. They are safe in controlling life-threatening conditions, some of which to date have no cure despite years of research. The best approach that is recommended globally is prevention, introducing strains to help the body develop resistance to them. There are cases where vaccines are said to reduce body immunity and conditions vaccinated against being less serious, and therefore unnecessary to spend tonnes of money on research and medication. However, failure to vaccinate was found to cause outbreaks and other unknown diseases whose treatment is yet to be identified, hence making it even more expensive.
References
CDC. (2017, March 10). Possible Side Effects from Vaccines. Retrieved from Vaccines & Immunizations.
CDC. (2017, March 10). Why Immunize? Retrieved from CDCD: Vaccines and Immunizations.
Fredrickson, D. D., Davis, T. C., Arnold, C. L., & Humiston, S. G. (2004). Childhood Immunization Refusal: Childhood Immunization Refusal. Clinical Research and Methods,
Herlihy, S. M., & Hagood, E. A. (2012). Your Baby's Best Shot: Why Vaccines are Safe and Save Lives. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.
Myers, M. G., & Pineda, D. (2008). Do Vaccines Cause That?!: A Guide for Evaluating Vaccine Safety Concerns. Galveston: i4ph.
Neustaedter, R. (2002). The Vaccine Guide: Risks and Benefits for Children and Adults. North Atlantic Books. : Berkeley.
