Vaccines In Public Health

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Vaccines are one of the greatest scientific achievements in public health. The first successful vaccine was introduced in 1796 for the treatment of smallpox. This vaccine was extremely effective that the illness has been eradicated. Vaccines prevent millions of deaths annually and have a well established record of keeping people free from certain diseases. Measles, mumps, tetanus and other life threatening illnesses have been reduced by more than 95% (Meadows 1). Despite all the success and scientific evidence, some people still consider vaccines harmful. This belief has lead to a decline in vaccination rates and negative publicity towards vaccines. To ensure the safety of vaccines, vaccines must go through extensive clinical tests before …show more content…
Vaccine safety is monitored before and after the public begins using a new vaccine. With the help from the CDC , the FDA monitors vaccines in the United States through the Vaccine in Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) (Meadows 2). VAERS is a national vaccine safety surveillance program that collects and analyzes adverse events that happen after vaccination. It receives approximately 30,000 reports annually (CDC). The FDA and CDC have scientists who monitor reports from VAERS. This helps the scientists identify adverse effects that must be further studied. Rare side effects can be detected by vaccine monitoring systems and action to remove the market can be initiated if a trend in adverse events is detected.. Reporting to VAERS gives valuable information that helps the CDC and FDA ensure that vaccines are safe and effective. In addition, scientists use the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) to monitor and conduct studies that evaluate the safety of vaccines. The VSD determines if an adverse event is associated with a certain vaccine. Rapid advances in the methods of developing vaccines and monitoring safety have greatly decreased the number of side effects. The vaccine schedule recommendations is changed if the safety monitoring systems show that a vaccines risk outweighs the benefits (“Ensuring the Safety”). The United States Vaccines Safety System continuously monitors vaccines for adverse …show more content…
Vaccines have minimized the risk of diseases that formerly attacked large parts of the population. After they are developed, vaccines are extensively tested during clinical trials to ensure their safety. With the help from the CDC , the FDA regulates vaccines in the United States and continuously monitors their impact on public safety through the Vaccine in Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)(Meadows 2). History has easily demonstrated the benefits of vaccination. By choosing not to be vaccinated, the risk of contracting a vaccine preventable disease, spreading the disease to others, and suffering the consequences of the disease are all greatly increased. To be precautious, one can to talk to their doctor and discuss the potential risk of an adverse effect and its rate of occurrence. Get vaccinated and become apart of the greatest achievement in public

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