BY HANNAH SAUNDERS, Junior
BLYTHEWOOD- By April of 2015, it was confirmed that a large measles outbreak that occurred at Disneyland was finally contained, only after infecting 147 people in the United States. Many who fell victim to this disease were not vaccinated against it, some claiming that they refused the vaccine for personal reasons, while others who were infected were too young to receive the shot. Situations like these not only occur in global attractions, but also occur right next door in our own schools.
Responsible parents who send their children off to school everyday should not have to be concerned about their children coming home with a life-threatening disease like measles. According to the National Vaccine Information Center, from 1958 to 1962, the United States averaged around 503,282 cases and 432 deaths associated with measles each year. In 2014, after more than 50 years of having a vaccine, there were just 634 cases.
The refusal of many parents to vaccinate their own children has resulted in the illness and even death of other children around them.
With the new research surfacing on the topic of immunization, it is understandable that some parents are skeptical in the choice to vaccinate their children. Many point out that vaccines are not completely safe and pose a risk to the receiver. Some side effects among young children include mild swelling, redness, and a small lump at the injection site.
Although rare, some children may experience reactions to the vaccinations that could possibly result in death. Parents are right to be concerned about the safety of vaccines because of some of their side effects, however, the side effects are much more mild and manageable compared to the symptoms of the life-threatening diseases that could be acquired.
Many take for granted the safety and peace of mind that we are able to experience today as a
result of not having to worry about going to school and becoming infected with diseases such as the measles, polio, and smallpox.
According to Connie Taylor, Blythewood High School nurse, immunizations are required to attend public school. These required vaccinations include Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepatitis B, and Varicella. However, as a result of parents refusing to vaccinate their children, the concept of “herd immunity” is deteriorating, thus eliminating the peace of mind of many.
Herd immunity occurs when a large majority of a group is vaccinated, almost eliminating the risk of the disease. By refusing vaccinations, children eliminate herd immunity and increase the presence of life threatening diseases.
In 2008, a measles outbreak occurred in California. Eventually, it was traced back to a child whose parents had chosen not to vaccinate him because of personal beliefs.
“A parent can exempt their student from immunizations related to a religious belief. The parent would be required to go to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to obtain a religious exemption,” Taylor stated.
The decision to vaccinate should not be a personal one unless it is related to religious reasons because the effects are not personal. Vaccines not only affect the individual, they also affect those around them. The decision of one parent to neglect the safety and well being of their own child should not potentially risk killing another child who may not be able to receive the vaccine for religious or allergy-related reasons.
In addition to vaccinations protecting both the person vaccinated and other people, they are also economically beneficial. It is far cheaper to vaccinate against a disease than it is to treat it. It is estimated that treating a single case of measles is expected to cost 23 times more than the amount spent on a vaccination.
“Immunizations can be obtained at DHEC for little or no cost. There are other programs in the community as well that will help a family obtain immunizations for their students and children,” Taylor explains. Not vaccinating your child is irresponsible because it is dangerous, but it also causes other innocent taxpayers to spend their own valuable money on treating your kid because of your neglect.
According to David Gorsky, scientist and author of “Vaccines Didn’t Save Us,” if measles vaccinations, for example, were to stop completely, 2.7 million deaths worldwide could be expected as a result. That 2.7 million is full of women, men, children, mothers, brothers, sisters, and loved ones whose deaths could have been avoided with a small prick of a needle. Not vaccinating your child should not be an option. Killing other children should not be the result of an “optional” choice that parents make all over the world.
