Essay Sample on Pros and Cons of Vaccinations

Introduction

The human environment is increasingly having various types of diseases causing microbes that are not only persistent but also developing unique adaptability to antibiotics. The germs have either undergone resistance through mutation or just evolved unique features that make them continue living and functioning even in a physiological environment where medicines have been administered. It is for this foundation reason that the need to boost immunity through immunization becomes a necessity (Neustaedter, 2002). Natural immunity alone cannot withstand the mutagenic characteristics of the diseases causing germs hence vaccination is a way of boosting the natural immunity so that it becomes not only able to prevent the proliferation of existing pathogens but also resistant to new infections (Sears, 2007). Vaccination is the process of introducing a weekend form of disease-causing germ into the body system so as to trigger the physiological system to produce more antibodies thus a net increase in immunity (Neustaedter, 2002). There are various adverse physiological reactions of the body to vaccines and a possibility that some may not yield anticipated results it is worth noting that vaccination provides the best means of preventing diseases such as rubella, diphtheria, smallpox, polio, and whooping cough thus saving the lives of millions of children.

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Since 1796 when Edward Jenner first developed a vaccine against smallpox, vaccination has dramatically changed the course of managing infectious diseases. For instance, smallpox is a deadly disease when the immune system is weak and often led to deaths before this milestone development in medicine (Sears, 2007). Further Medical research from reputable organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Practice Physicians contend that immunization is a proactive way of preventing initial contracting a disease-causing thus a way of changing medical practice from a treatment-centric to prevention (Sears, 2007). It helps to actively ensure protection from infectious diseases as long as the people at risk remain cooperative. Since vaccination is administered before an infection, it is an upfront way of managing human health and limiting the potential suffering associated with scientific diseases that take too long to control once they attack an individual. The working principle behind the concept of vaccination is boosting the immunity system which is the natural mechanism for fighting infections in the body. After the administration of the vaccine, the system will generate antibodies that will neutralize the toxins produced by the weakened germs. If an individual is exposed to the actual live microbes, the body's immune system through the antibodies can recognize the infectious germs hence destroying them (Anderson, 2017). The first disease to have its vaccine developed was smallpox, and it was administered through injection.

Worldwide eradication of diseases like polio, measles, and tetanus was only possible through vaccination campaigns. Immunization is the best global method for preventing infectious diseases. Viral diseases are immunized against using weakened antigen while vaccines for bacterial infection use a small portion of dead bacteria which can stimulate the production of antibodies to fight against the whole bacteria (Jit et al. 2015). Research has proven that vaccines prevent diseases, eradicate virulent diseases like smallpox, protect large population through herd vaccination, protect future generation and provide economic benefit to the nation. Renowned medical groups have convincingly supported and advised the administration of vaccines to avoid diseases.

Vaccination has proven effective in preventing the proliferation of some life-threatening diseases especially for the children whose immunity is still weak and unable to resist such pathogens (Neustaedter, 2002). According to a 2003 study by the Pediatric Academic Society, vaccinations have been successful in lowering child mortality rate worldwide leading to reduced child mortality and healthy working society. The Harvard Medical School even contend that immunization has resulted in the complete eradication of some deadly disease such as smallpox has been eradicated leading to approximately 5 million saved annually. The only way to prevent an individual against infection of smallpox is through administering vaccines. In the past, smallpox used to be a dangerous disease that took millions of lives. However, vaccination against it completely eradicated it (Jolley, 2014). Vaccination against such diseases as polio, influenza, and smallpox has well-documented benefits. When an infection stops circulating in a given region, it is considered eliminated from the area. For example, polio was eradicated in the USA in the year 1979. Eradication occurs when the world is declared free of disease. Ring vaccination and focus surveillance were the techniques that led to the declaration of the world as smallpox free (Jit et al.2015).

Vaccinations are effective in protecting large population using a concept known as herd vaccination. Through herd immunity, the spread of infections has been contained. Usually, if a disease has to persist, one each infected person has to transmit the causative agents to some other persons. The infection gradually disappears when this scenario fails to occur. Children, the old and individual who are undergoing treatments such as chemotherapy depend on herd immunity to avoid contracting diseases that can be prevented through vaccination. Therefore in the absence of herd immunity, many people in a society who contract preventable diseases like whooping cough which is a killer disease when not checked. Consequently, wide-scale vaccination raises the efficacy level of any vaccination program (Barnighausen, Bloom, Cafiero & O'Brien, 2014).

Vaccinations are worth the expense. Essentially, vaccinations are deemed to be cost-effective whereby they save a significant amount of money used in paying for health care. For instance, infants born in 2009 in the USA were vaccinated with nine vaccines which approximately helped in preventing twenty million cases of disease and efficiently save approximately 40000 children from early deaths. Also, the vaccination helped save roughly more than thirteen billion in straight medical and non-medical costs which included factors like treatment for primary infections, special education costs, travel costs and other costs of equipment (Barnighausen et al. 2014).

Vaccination campaigns and programs help protect future generations. Vaccines have significantly reduced, and in some instances, they have eliminated many diseases that in the past were claiming many lives and leaving other severely disabled. For example, vaccination against smallpox led to the total eradication of the disease (Newton, 2013). Today, small children do not need to get vaccinated for the same condition as it no longer exists. Secondly, by vaccinating small children against rubella, the probability of pregnant women passing the virus to their newborns or fetus is significantly reduced thus birth disabilities associated with the infection are also reduced. Sensitizing societies on the need of vaccination programs will lead to wiping out of most diseases (Anderson, 2017).

Vaccination is associated with an economic benefit for the society and the entire nation. Through immunization, a country incurs less cost in treating future diseases that might occur to children or later in adulthood. Most developed nations continue to lead high in the economy since they spend less in medicinal cost. The savings are used in production and growing economic sectors like industries. A report released by UNICEF shows that the United States of America saves approximately 27 dollars saved by one dollar incurred on vaccinations hence saving more than six billion dollars (Anderson, 2017). One reason why developing countries lag behind in development is the cost incurred in paying for medical bills which could have been prevented paying small vaccination fee. Also, the cost incurred when taking care of the disabled people in their lifetime is very high. The high death rates and high child mortality in developing and undeveloped are linked to improper medical attention at childhood. Nations should advocate for early vaccinations to all children and where possible issue free vaccine to children from the poor background to achieve economic benefit (Jit et al., 2015).

Although the benefits of vaccination outweigh the cons, some arguments are against the vaccine. First, a vaccine can cause a severe and fatal effect on human life. Most of the allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is associated with vaccination. Some vaccines may cause mild or temporary adverse effects which range from fever, soreness or a lump underneath the skin of the point where vaccination is administered. Also, issues of long-term seizure and brain damage are associated with the vaccine like tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. Report from CDC shows that chickenpox vaccine can sometimes cause pneumonia. Also, some ingredients and chemicals used in vaccines can be harmful and risky to human health. Re4search shows that some vaccines have some mercury and aluminum components in them which is detrimental to children and adults (Anderson, 2017). Excess use of aluminum is associated with neurological harm leading to cardiac impairments, central nervous depression, and cognitive dysfunction. Mandatory use of vaccine to children invades the religious beliefs and freedom of some people (Committee to Review Adverse Effects of Vaccines, 2012. Some religion prohibits the use of vaccination as it lowers their faith. To them, Christian state of mind is the best preventative cure for any disease while immunization is associated with fear and lack of faith. According to research, when vaccine invades organisms directly, they lead to the occurrence of autoimmune diseases which sometimes invade the body cells (Nugier, Limousi & Lydie, 2017). Despite all the claims against vaccination, the benefits derived from vaccines are more than the cons.

Apart from the possible direct health effects of vaccination such as inducing allergy, it has the risk of causing a misconception among the people at risk such as not being sensitive to their hygiene. Studies show that vaccination alone is not an assurance of good health. It is only a step towards preventing life-threatening infectious diseases (Newton, 2013). However, the fact that an individual has undergone vaccination ay create a false impression that he or she is free from infections thus making them negligent about simple hygienic practices such as hand washing. The effect of this is that the people become more predisposed to other diseases that are not targeted by the vaccine. In actual sense, improved hygiene and proper dietary practices should complement vaccination for lower incidences of deaths.

Conclusion

In conclusion, vaccines prevent diseases, eradicate virulent diseases like smallpox, protect large population through herd vaccination, protect future generation and provide economic benefit to the nation. As the world moves towards global health, prevention is one of the strategies put in place to counter significant diseases. Vaccine are cost effective hence a benefit not only to the family but the growth of any nation. Various conditions that arise during childhood and later in adult life are easily conquered through vaccination. Also, the vaccine protects a large population and saves children's life. Cases of disability are rare in children who have been vaccinated with all the thirteen vaccines. More so, vaccine ensures safety and protection of future generation who could be at risk of being born with a congenital disability, mental...