The Great Vaccine Debate
- Vaccines have increased our lifespan by 30 years and have largely eradicated certain diseases, like smallpox and polio.
- While vaccination now prevents 16 different communicable diseases in the United States, some parents are concerned about the safety and sheer number of vaccines given to young children.
So, what are some of your initial thoughts about vaccines? Why did your parents choose to have you vaccinated? Will you choose to have your child vaccinated?
Review: The CDC Vaccine Schedule
In your response to the Blog, include your thoughts to the questions below.
- Through a published schedule and set of guidelines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials recommend that every child receive certain vaccinations by age 6. What are the benefits of this recommendation to public health officials, to the community and to other children?
- Some parents and health care professionals question the CDC’s recommendations and decide not to vaccinate their children, while others, like Jennifer Margulis, choose to vaccinate their children along an alternative schedule. How might her decision affect both her own children and others?
- In what ways is vaccination different from other types of personal health decisions?
Who should be involved in deciding whether children receive a specific vaccine? - Should the government have the right to compel vaccination? Should parents have the right to refuse it?
Include a link to an article you found that discusses this issue.
