Pro-Vaccination: An Argument in Support of Vaccination
Introduction

In the past, there has been marked increase in the number of vaccinations recommended as more vaccines are developed in an attempt to rein in various diseases. Accompanying this increase has been parental concerns regarding the relevance and safety of the said vaccines. Apart from parents, various anti-vaccine proponents have also presented numerous and diverse arguments against vaccines. It should, however, be noted that the various concerns as well as arguments against vaccines have been countered by medical professionals who are of the opinion that the relevance of vaccines cannot be overstated in seeking to avert vaccine-preventable diseases. This text revisits this debate in an attempt to highlight not only the need, but also the significance and value of vaccines.

Discussion

To begin with, it is important to note that over time, developments in medicine and medical sciences have made it possible for serious illnesses to be prevented via the administration of the appropriate vaccines. It is for this reason that Guidolin and Meglei (104) term vaccines as some of “the greatest medical advances in history.” Vaccine-preventable diseases today include, but they are not limited to, whooping cough, mumps, and measles. It should, however, be noted that these diseases still pose a significant threat, and as a matter of fact, deaths continue to be reported every year from the said diseases. Towards this end, therefore, it should be noted that any child who has not been vaccinated against these diseases risks infection. Essentially, over the years, there has been a dramatic decrease in the number of various vaccine-preventable infectious diseases in the United States. However, some of the said infectious diseases continue to be common in other jurisdictions across the world. International travellers could easily bring such diseases to the U.S. As Guidolin and Meglei (107) point out, vaccines come in handy in seeking to curtail the spread of some infectious diseases that could potentially jeopardize efforts to promote the health and wellbeing of populations. In that regard, therefore, there is need to vaccinate all children against vaccine-preventable diseases so as to avoid infection. This would be the only logical move in seeking to save the lives of millions of children who are at risk of various infections. According to Whitney, Zhou, Singleton, and Schuchat (356), it is estimated that “among children born during 1994– 2013, vaccination will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.”

Next, vaccines save a lot of money and time for both parents and the larger public sector. This is especially true given that when compared to the cost of treatment for a vaccine-preventable infectious disease, the cost of vaccines is much lower. It is important to note that in addition to spending money, parents are likely to waste a lot of time tending to a child suffering from a vaccine-preventable disease. As a matter of fact, as Whitney, Zhou, Singleton, and Schuchat (357) point out, “among children born during 1994– 2013, vaccination will… over the course of their lives” result in “a net saving of $295 billion in direct costs and $1.38 trillion in total societal costs.” Sugerman, Barskey, Delea, and Ortega-Sanchez (749) point out that in 2008, a 7-year-old boy who had remained unvaccinated against measles (intentionally) caused a serious outbreak of the same disease in San Diego, California upon returning from Switzerland. As a consequence 11 children who had not yet been vaccinated against measles contracted the disease. According to the authors, this particular incidence caused “a net public-sector cost of $10,376 per case” (Sugerman, Barskey, Delea, and Ortega-Sanchez...…children. In this case, there would be need to properly acquaint oneself with the arguments presented on the other side of the debate so as to be able to tackle them in an informed and valid manner. It is also important to note that given the prominence of social media as a medium of communication in the present day, Kunzmann (136) is of the opinion that there should be deliberate efforts to reach out to those ignorant of the facts about vaccinations. Studies conducted in the past have indicated that it may be helpful to monitor “Twitter to uncover concerns and misconceptions, gauge public opinion, and aid pediatricians in refuting the anti-vaccination argument” (Kunzmann 153) For meaningful progress to be made in relation to the minimization of resistance to vaccinations, the relevant agencies must play their role effectively in seeking to reach the greatest number of people. In the words of Plotkin, Orenstein, and Offit (137), “disease control or elimination requires the induction of protective immunity in a sufficient proportion of the population.”

Conclusion

In the final analysis, it is clear from the discussion above that the relevance of vaccinations cannot be overstated. In addition to being effective, vaccines are safe. Indeed, thanks to vaccines, the U.S. has in the past seen a drastic decline in the number of a wide range of infectious diseases including, but not limited to, whooping cough, mumps, and measles. There is need to ensure that parents are sensitized on the need for vaccines. The safety of the vaccines should also be emphasized. This is more so the case given that vaccines are subjected to an elaborate review by not only the federal government, but also doctors and scientists in an attempt to further enhance their safety. When many parents fail to ensure that their children are vaccinated against…