On August 6, 2014, three year old Maggie Jacks was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia, or blood cancer. Because Maggie had undergone chemotherapy, her immune system’s “hard drive” was completely wiped out, leaving her with a very venerable, and weak body. Because of her weakened immune system, she cannot be vaccinated. This became a huge problem for the Jacks family when they got a call one Sunday from the hospital telling them their child was exposed to measles by another child (Why Vaccinate). Because measles symptoms could show anytime 21 days after being exposed, Maggie was kept in isolation. Her parents could only pray that Maggie would make it through. Edward Jenner was an English county doctor that the first to experiment with the
…show more content…
Many dangerous diseases that were once prevented through vaccines may flare up again” (Sherman 10). (Commentary). “Health public officials are…poorly equipped” (Sherman 10). We do not have a large amount of vaccines stored up in a hole somewhere, so if an epidemic or even a pandemic were to occur, it would be difficult to release enough vaccines to the public in time. Without vaccinations the risk of getting a deadly disease is high. It not only endangers your life, but the lives of others as …show more content…
Children that are too young to get vaccinated are very susceptible to contracting diseases like whooping cough, which can be extremely fatal among infants. Veronica and Sean, for example, had never received a whooping cough vaccine. Veronica had then contracted and passed it on to her daughter who was too young to be vaccinated. Her daughter was hospitalized, but sadly didn’t make it. “For patients with [cancer]…their immunity continues to decline over 2-3 years” (Protecting Children). Because of their weakened immune system, cancer patients cannot receive vaccines when undergoing chemotherapy. There have been many cases of cancer patients falling victim to diseases that could have been preventable. (Transition).
Another major way that vaccines could save lives would be in the case of a bioterrorist attack. These attacks have become one of the latest concerns in combating terrorism. “Vaccine development, production, and distribution has weakened” (Evans). If a major outbreak in the US were to occur, there would be a massive wipeout of the people who had chosen not to vaccinate. Education programs can improve public health by educating anti-vaccination activists of the dangers of the spread and prevention of fatal disease. (Commentary)
Many dangerous diseases that were once prevented through vaccines may flare up again” (Sherman 10). (Commentary). “Health public officials are…poorly equipped” (Sherman 10). We do not have a large amount of vaccines stored up in a hole somewhere, so if an epidemic or even a pandemic were to occur, it would be difficult to release enough vaccines to the public in time. Without vaccinations the risk of getting a deadly disease is high. It not only endangers your life, but the lives of others as …show more content…
Children that are too young to get vaccinated are very susceptible to contracting diseases like whooping cough, which can be extremely fatal among infants. Veronica and Sean, for example, had never received a whooping cough vaccine. Veronica had then contracted and passed it on to her daughter who was too young to be vaccinated. Her daughter was hospitalized, but sadly didn’t make it. “For patients with [cancer]…their immunity continues to decline over 2-3 years” (Protecting Children). Because of their weakened immune system, cancer patients cannot receive vaccines when undergoing chemotherapy. There have been many cases of cancer patients falling victim to diseases that could have been preventable. (Transition).
Another major way that vaccines could save lives would be in the case of a bioterrorist attack. These attacks have become one of the latest concerns in combating terrorism. “Vaccine development, production, and distribution has weakened” (Evans). If a major outbreak in the US were to occur, there would be a massive wipeout of the people who had chosen not to vaccinate. Education programs can improve public health by educating anti-vaccination activists of the dangers of the spread and prevention of fatal disease. (Commentary)