Public Perceptions of Benefits and Risks †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Public Perceptions of Benefits and Risks. Answer: Introduction Vaccinations are always recommended from our healthcare facilities for every child. However,some parents do not necessarily feel the need to give the child these services. As a result the governments globally are making it mandatory for children to be vaccinated from a certain age limit. This although has met mixed reaction from parents being against and others in support for the practice. We will evaluate this as we discuss. Life saving: Over the years diseases will be claiming lots of precious lives if left untreated (Rakita et al 2011).Therefore, this has led to the government to compulsory vaccinate children to avoid cases such as polio. It was once a killer disease around American states leaving children paralyzed but up to recently thanks to vaccination its been eradicated (Diekema, D. S.2014). Numerous advances through the medical department are protecting children against even more fatal disease hence saving lives. Safe than sorry: It has been better for parents to be safe with their children than sorry that they did not do everything possible to save their lives. It is also an effective way to prevent a disease than treat it. A child can be saved from serious side effects like allergies as some diseases are very rare and be discovered through vaccines. Protects loved ones: The vaccines will protect the child from contractible diseases leaving one immune system strengthened. Diseases such as, Whopping cough and measles can only be prevented through vaccination. Save time and money: Vaccination programs are done over a specific time to have the child immune. If not administered the child is likely to face long term illnesses and some vaccine-preventable illness that may lead to a child disability or long time care (Diekema, D. S. 2014). This will affect the mental and physical growth of the child. Vaccinations are also a future investment from insurances by saving money that was intended for care. Protects generations: Many of the viruses that had claimed lives in the past have been eliminated due to the progress in the medical department by developing vaccines (Song, G. 2014). Vaccines have now proved effective as they protect our generations from such viruses like polio that killed many of our seniors. Pregnant women now rest easy as these vaccines have eradicated mother to child viruses with no longer harm befalling the child in the future. Susceptibility is not considered: Following the mandatory vaccinations a child, susceptibility to other medical conditions is not considered. Vaccinations are often generalized which should not be the case. One on one is necessary for knowing the health history of the child considering one can be allergic to some vaccines which is fatal (Diekema, et al 2014). Replacing one disease for another: In different cases it has been reported that once a vaccination has been administered, another disease crops up without knowing hence proving fatal.This can be viewed as replacing one disease for another. Some vaccines posses to same antigens that have led to be fatal. The best example is with the measles vaccines which contains the measles virus. Natural immunity lasts longer: Many of these fatal disease started as a result of poor living conditions in urban areas (Stewart, A. M 2009). Now that we are evolved our standards have improved giving chance for our natural immunity. In some rear cases whereby its better to contract the virus and let our own natural immunity to adapt and cure. This will leave the host (child) better immunized compared to the one medically vaccinated. Such cases include the small pox. Harmful chemicals in vaccines: Vaccines are chemically made and tasted. A lot of these harmful chemical traces have been found in the vaccine that some children might be allergic or sensitive (Ottenberg et al 2011). Chemicals such as, mercury, and formaldehyde of which are known to cause cancer are said to be the primal mixing agent in vaccines. These chemicals should be avoided at all costs for one to preserve life. Conclusion: In summary, the compulsory vaccination will generally be faced by mixed reaction. However, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. If carefully observed it will in turn preserve the value of life. The government needs to find ways in training the medics whom will observe its citizens freedom of choice. This can be applied through general training in the concerned healthcare department to pay close attention in every child. This will limit the herd kind of way in administering these vaccines and eventually saving lives. Works Cited Rakita, R. M., Hagar, B. A Crome, P.,Lammert , J.K (2010) Mandotory Influenza vaccination of healthcare workers: a 5year study . Infection Control Hospital Epidemiology 31(09), 881-888. Diekema, D. S. (2014).Personal belief exemptions from school vaccination requirements.Annual review of public health, 35, 275-292. Stop mandatory vaccination [Homepage of stop mandatory vaccination]. [2013]. [Online]. https://www.stopmandatoryvaccination.com [accessed 6 may 2017] Song, G. (2014). Understanding public perceptions of benefits and risks of childhood vaccinations in the United States.Risk Analysis, 34(3), 541-555. Stewart, A. M. (2009) Mandatory vaccination of health care workers. New England journal of Medicine 361(21), 2015-2017 Ottenberg, A. L., Wu, J.T., Poland, G.A Jacobson, R.M., Koenig, B.A.,Tilburg. J. C. (2011). Vaccinating health care workers against influenza: the ethical and legal rationale for a mandate. American Journal of Public Health101(2), 212-216.