BY: AMANDA GODFREYSOCIOLOGY 1010

The Great Vaccination Debate

Vaccination

Means of producing immunity against pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, by the introduction of live, killed, or altered antigens that stimulate the body to produce antibodies against more dangerous forms.

Vaccination Pros and Cons

PROS CONS

Vaccines Save Lives Possible Adverse Reactions

Among Most Effective Tools for Preventing Infectious Diseases

and their Complications

Possible Link Between Vaccinations and Occurrence of

Autism

Highly Regulated for Quality and Effectiveness

Not 100% Effective

When to Vaccinate(Up to 18 Months of Age)

Vaccine(s) Age

DTaP, Hib, PCV, Polio, RV, HepB 2 Months

DTaP, Hib, PCV, Polio, RV, HepB 4 Months

DTaP, Hib, PCV, Polio, RV, HepB 6 Months

DTaP, Hib, PCV, MMR, Varicella, HepA

12 Months

HepA 18 Months

Flu Every Year After 6 Months

Repeated Vaccines are Boosters

Who is Choosing Not to Vaccinate?

Many Parents who Prefer a “Holistic” Approach to Health Care

Why?

Fear of the Vaccine Causing their Child HarmFear of Adverse ReactionsFear of a Purported Link Between Vaccines

and AutismLack of Proper Education Regarding VaccinesMinimal Concern for Risk of Contracting a

Disease and the Side Effects Thereof Because Enough Other People are Immunized so They or Their Children Don’t Need to be

Religious Beliefs

What are the Risks?

Contraction of a Serious or Deadly DiseaseSpreading a Contracted Disease to a Child Who

is too Young to Receive a VaccinationDiseases That Were Thought to be Eradicated

Can Make a Comeback if too Many People Stop Vaccinating Against it

Parents Purchasing Lollipops or Similar Items Via the Internet Which are Purported to Have Been Licked by Children with a Disease They Want Their Child to Build a “Natural” Immunity to

Death by or Permanent Complications of a Disease

How Does this Affect Me?

Those choosing not to vaccinate their children can place both myself and my child at risk.

Diseases Can Make a Comeback if Enough People Stop Immunizing Against Them

Reflections

What did I learn? I learned that not only are vaccinations important for

the health and safety of my own child, but also for the health and safety of society as a whole.

How will I use this information? I will use this information to ensure that I am

appropriately vaccinating my child, and to educate others who may not know the importance of vaccinations.

Bibliography

Encyclopedia - Yahoo! Vaccination. 2 12 2011 <http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia.entry/vaccination>.

Omer, Saad B., et al. The New England Journal of Medicine. 7 May 2009. 2 December 2011 <http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsa0806477>.

Steinhauer, Jennifer. www.nytimes.com. 21 March 2008. 2 December 2011 <www.nytimes.com/2008/03/21/us/21vaccine.html>.

www.vaccinateyourbaby.org. www.vaccinateyourbaby.org. 2011. 2 December 2011 <www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/ safe/autism/ overburdening/cfm>.