A vaccine is “a substance that is usually injected into a person or animal to protect against a particular disease” (Merriam-Webster, 2014, pg1). The practice of vaccination goes as far back as the 1700’s (The History of Vaccines, 2013a). Recently there has been debate around the world if parents should vaccinate their children or not. Parents are afraid to vaccinate their children because of religious or political beliefs, concerns or misunderstanding. Nonetheless, the World should be reinforcing the importance of vaccinating children. Maciosek, Edwards, and Coffield, says that one of the best ways to prevent health problems is by vaccination as stated in (Kharbanda & Kahn, 2010).
Why Children are Not …show more content…
In the United States some programs provide vaccines at low or not cost at all. There Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) as well as private insurers that approves all of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at no cost (Kharbanda & Kahn, 2010). Kharbanda & Kahn says the VFC program helps “Medicaid eligible, uninsured, American Indian, Or Alaskan Native” (2010, pg 3) children to get vaccines with no cost. Parents and providers can reach out to local and state sponsors to help fund any costs left over for children with private insurers (Kharbanda & Kahn, 2010).
Importance of Vaccines The mortality rate of people does go down when children are vaccinated (Mhatre & Schryer-Roy, 2009). By having the children vaccinated, not only are their lives being saved, but it also protects newborns and the elderly against diseases or infections (Kharbanda & Kahn, 2010). If there is low immunization coverage a community could have a higher risk of outbreak for diseases (Kharbanda & Kahn, 2010). When a child in not vaccinated they are more susceptible to getting measles, whooping cough, or any other serious infection or disease (Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio, 2014).