Current statistics have documented that an excess of “up to 40 percent of parents in the U.S. to delay or refuse some vaccines for their children” (Haelle). This staggering statement concludes that there is a cause for concern in regards to vaccinating children here, in the United States. The overwhelming percentage of parents who choose not to vaccinate, for whatever their reasons may be, versus those who do vaccinate, has created a recently debatable question. Should parents be required to vaccinate their children, so that all children are safe and healthy? There is much controversy surrounding the plethora of reasons of why parents choose not to vaccinate. Many ideas may include, “vaccines are linked to adverse reactions and illnesses, and
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When the greater community of immunized children is together, whether at play groups or in most cases at school/daycare together, they build strength in numbers against a possible contagious disease outbreak. Commonly known as a “herd immunity,” this means that the number of children in a vaccinated population provides protection in greater numbers to those who are not (Willingham, Helft). Not only does vaccination safeguard the child from disease and illness, but it also can assist to safeguard those who may not be able to immunized in the instance of medical reasons, such as a child who has low immunity due to cancer treatments. “By breaking the chain of an infection’s transmission, vaccination can also protect people who haven 't been immunized. However, for this to work, protection requires that a certain percentage of people in a community be vaccinated” (Willingham, Helft). Allowing unvaccinated children to attend daycare/school causes concern for parents who are pro-vaccination because these unvaccinated children continually transport illness into the classroom, as a result of their parents choosing not to vaccinate. The law requires proof of vaccination of all children who attend daycare/school upon enrollment. However, many states offer immunization waivers, which let the unvaccinated child still attend without these mandated immunizations. Although the CDC has a recommended immunization schedule that the majority of pediatricians recommend and follow, they are not made mandatory in the general public setting. “State laws establish vaccination requirements for school children. These laws often apply not only to children attending public schools, but also to those attending private schools and daycare facilities” (“Requirements & Laws”). This leaves the door wide open for parents to choose not to vaccinate until they are required
When the greater community of immunized children is together, whether at play groups or in most cases at school/daycare together, they build strength in numbers against a possible contagious disease outbreak. Commonly known as a “herd immunity,” this means that the number of children in a vaccinated population provides protection in greater numbers to those who are not (Willingham, Helft). Not only does vaccination safeguard the child from disease and illness, but it also can assist to safeguard those who may not be able to immunized in the instance of medical reasons, such as a child who has low immunity due to cancer treatments. “By breaking the chain of an infection’s transmission, vaccination can also protect people who haven 't been immunized. However, for this to work, protection requires that a certain percentage of people in a community be vaccinated” (Willingham, Helft). Allowing unvaccinated children to attend daycare/school causes concern for parents who are pro-vaccination because these unvaccinated children continually transport illness into the classroom, as a result of their parents choosing not to vaccinate. The law requires proof of vaccination of all children who attend daycare/school upon enrollment. However, many states offer immunization waivers, which let the unvaccinated child still attend without these mandated immunizations. Although the CDC has a recommended immunization schedule that the majority of pediatricians recommend and follow, they are not made mandatory in the general public setting. “State laws establish vaccination requirements for school children. These laws often apply not only to children attending public schools, but also to those attending private schools and daycare facilities” (“Requirements & Laws”). This leaves the door wide open for parents to choose not to vaccinate until they are required