Vaccines are something that have been essential to public health throughout the world and have prevented outbreaks of deadly diseases. However, recently there has been controversy of whether or not vaccines have had negative affects. In fact, some parents with small children have stopped vaccinating their children.
“The vaccines were created for a reason, because certain illnesses were wreaking havoc,” Lauren Haynes, mother of one and expecting another, said. “I’ve heard and read plenty of stories about children who grew up unvaccinated and ended up getting just as sick, if not sicker than their vaccinated peers. I certainly don’t trust everything the government does, but I feel like vaccination is a no brainer.”
Countless scientific studies prove the effectiveness of childhood vaccinations facts that there is a positive outcome on children receiving their proper vaccinations. “Regulations that require adolescents to have the DTaP booster vaccination before entering middle school are ‘extremely effective’ at increasing immunization and reducing pertussis in the wider population,” according to Journalists Resource.
These vaccines help keep the child itself safe, but also all of the other children around them in school. “82% of Americans say the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine should be required for healthy schoolchildren in order to reduce public health risk,” according to Pew Research Center.
Since children are not educated enough to make their own personal decisions on whether or not they want to receive the vaccinations, it is left to their parent or guardian. “I am 100% pro-vaccination,” Heather Murray, mother of two, said. “I believe my career in the pharma industry has conditioned me to have this need to research everything before I make a decision – parenting topics included.”
There has yet to be proven facts to back up the statement of autism being traced back to vaccinations. “The myth that vaccines like the one that prevents measles are connected to autism has persisted despite rock-solid proof to the contrary. Donald Trump has given credence to such views in tweets and during a Republican debate, but as president he has said nothing to support vaccination opponents, so there is reason to hope that his views are changing,” according to a recent NYTimes article.
“The studies that I have looked into do not yield any scientifically sound link between vaccinating and developmental issues among children,” Murray said. “What did resonate with me are the diseases that we are vaccinating against and what they can do to a child. Two other factors ‘sealed the deal’ with my decision to vaccinate my children: the vast majority of pediatric physician’s pro-vaccination stance and our daycare’s requirement of vaccination for admission.”
“I am definitely pro-vaccine,” Haynes said. “I think not vaccinating is a little kooky and not in the best interest of the child OR society.”
