Running head: ARGUMENT ON THE DEFINITION OF

VACCINATIONS 1

Argument of Vaccinations

Daisy GonzalezAlanis

Arizona State University

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VACCINATIONS 2

Abstract

Infants are not receiving their recommended vaccinations which puts them at risk for

diseases that could have been prevented. There are many beliefs that vaccines cause autism and

other illnesses. Such that it gave rose to the anti-vaccine movement not only in the U.S. but also

throughout the world. Immunizations affect people all around us and their purpose has been

misinterpreted that has led to an ongoing controversy. It is important for the public to be

informed over the purpose of vaccines in order to refute the misconceptions over them.

Keywords: Immunization, Vaccines, Children, Parents

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Argument of Vaccinations

Imagine having a loved one with symptoms of intense coughing, rashes and aches

all over their body, fever, and inflamed glands. Imagine your loved one being at the hospital due

to a life-threatening disease that could have been prevented. How would you feel if the doctor

told you that a couple of vaccines could have prevented your loved one from not ending up at a

hospital by being infected by a contagious disease? This issue affects me because I wouldn’t

want any infant, child, adolescent, or adult to end up in a hospital because of the lack of

information regarding vaccines from the parents or guardians. I have been vaccinated with all

recommended vaccines and know that I can’t spread a virus and cause someone to end up in a

hospital. I am also aware that if I catch a virus my body will be prepared to fight.

The term, “Vaccines”, have changed into different beliefs and definitions. The

definitions and new beliefs have caused immunizations to be looked down upon causing the

problem of children all over the world not to be vaccinated. Vaccines are defined as, “a

biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically

contains an agent that resembles a disease-causing microorganism, and is often made from

weakened or killed forms of the microbe, its toxins or one of its surface proteins. The agent

stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the agent as foreign, destroy it, and

"remember" it, so that the immune system can more easily recognize and destroy any of these

microorganisms that it later encounters” (WHO, 2018). Since the invention of vaccines their

main goal is to decrease the deadly rates of infectious disease.

Right after the vaccination medical achievement, children started getting immunizations

and the rates of deadly infections decreased but, now again all over the world the rates are rising.

This is all due to a study conducted by Andrew Wakefield in 1998 claiming a link between the
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MMR vaccine and autism. The Wakefield study has been regarded as flawed by at least 20 high-

quality studies but many parents still fear vaccines. Dr. Allan, an associate professor in the

Department of Family Medicine at the University of Alberta, studied if there is a link between

MMR Vaccine and autism after the Wakefield study and concluded, “ There is convincing

evidence from multiple countries that show no association between MMR vaccine and autistic

disorders. The origins of this controversy incorporate unethical conduct and misleading research”

(2010). It is important to raise awareness over the true definition of vaccines in order to protect

everyone around us. Parents need to be informed on the proven benefits of vaccinations so they

are not fearful over vaccinations.

My main concern is with parents who are not educated over the true definition and

purpose of immunizations. Many parents are not confident about vaccines and they define

vaccines as something that will cause harm in their kids rather than do them good. In reality,

every medicine has side effects. If you think about it, even children’s Tylenol or Benadryl have

side effects to them written in fine print on the bottle. Vaccines also have side effects. But, the

side effects of vaccines are less severe compared to the illnesses they can prevent. Some children

may be allergic to vaccines just like some children may be allergic to certain medications. When

a child is allergic to a vaccine then the child would have to depend on the people around to be

vaccinated. That way the child would be protected from the preventable disease.

Vaccines are an extraordinary achievement of the 20th century. Because of vaccines;

diseases, epidemics and deaths have been prevented. The purpose of vaccines is to eliminate

certain illness such as chicken pox, polio, measles and other infectious diseases. However, the

epidemic of children not being vaccinated has caused measles, mumps, and pertussis outbreaks.
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Vaccinations are needed so they prevent outbreaks that can kill children. Immunizations

protect family, friends, and people around us. Unvaccinated children put other children at risk. If

we have a lot of unvaccinated kids, babies who are too young to get the vaccine, and

immunocompromised kids then diseases would spread very quickly. The importance of vaccines

is vital. If parents decide not to vaccinate their child they are endangering their child’s lives.

The statistics can speak for themselves and that's why it is crucial for parents to

understand the true definition of a vaccine. According to WHO, “134,200 estimated deaths from

measles in 2015 (15 deaths every hour) Immunization currently averts an estimated 2 to 3

million deaths every year. An additional 1.5 million deaths could be avoided, however, if global

vaccination coverage improves” (W.H.O., 2018, ). According to CDC, 26 states have not

reported meeting a government target of 95% coverage for MMR. There needs to be better

information given to parents in order for them to understand the impact of immunizations.

Many parents educate themselves on vaccines through social media and/or the internet

and causes them to obtain incorrect information. The solution for parents to understand the true

definition of a vaccine is to raise awareness over the truth of vaccines in order to protect

everyone around us. Recame, M., a member of the health care system, believes it is important for

patients and/or parents, “to be provided with accurate and up to date knowledge” (2012). That

way the misconceptions and false definition of vaccines are refuted and parents will be able to

make educated decisions regarding vaccines. Allison Kennedy, an epidemiologist, conducted a

study and concluded, “high immunization rates are not the same thing as high confidence in

vaccines” (2011). Some communities where immunization rates are high doesn’t necessary mean

parents have a high confidence in immunizations. The anti-vaccine parents should be educated

regarding vaccines through informative and innovative ways. I believe parents can be educated
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by having short informative videos play at hospital or clinic waiting rooms as well as posted

online and funded by a credible source. In the videos doctors will talk all about immunizations.

Even by having informational brochures at schools, shopping centers, day cares, and locations

where parents attend would make a difference. The videos and brochures would contain recent

research results, proven benefits, and safety on vaccinations.

In order to bring back the true definition back into society, parents need to educate

themselves on the truth about vaccines. In order for parents to change their current definition and

beliefs regarding vaccines there has to be a change on how the public is informed regarding

vaccines. The education of the parents will allow for an increase in vaccination rates. Vaccines

were invented to prevent preventable diseases so spread the word over the truth of vaccines and

you’ll know you are protecting others around you. Parents will no longer fear the side effects of

vaccines. The possible solutions I proposed would inform parents on the truth over vaccines and

refute all the misconceptions society has created.

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References

Allan, G., & Ivers, N. (2010). The autism-vaccine story: fiction and deception?. Canadian Family

Physician Médecin De Famille Canadien, 56(10), 1013

Kennedy, A., LaVail, K., Nowak, G., Basket, M., & Landry, S. (2011). Confidence about

vaccines in the United States: understanding parents’ perceptions. Health affairs, 30(6),

1151-1159.

Recame, M. A. (2012). The immunization-autism myth debunked. International Journal Of

Childbirth Education, 27(4), 76.

WHO.(2018, January). Immunization Coverage. Retrieved from

http://www.who.int/topics/vaccines/en/