Introduction
Vaccination is one of the most effective ways of being immune to certain diseases where a vaccine is already available (FLU.Gov, 2012). The truth is vaccination is still a sensitive case for non-medical professional people to handle and discuss about. However, the mechanism how these methods for developing immunity, which in this case is vaccination, works is relatively simple compared to other complex surgical procedures done in operating rooms by a medical surgeon. This paper will tell you the reasons why vaccination is not only recommended but a requirement for children.
Why Vaccination is a Necessity for Children
Vaccination is a necessity because it basically protects a child from diseases that could usually cause disabilities such as Poliomyelitis—this disease could cause walking impairments or even complete loss of the ability to stand or walk (ADAM, 2011). Before, when vaccines are not yet invented, people get infected quite easily because before their body could recognize a pathogen, the pathogen was already inside their body, attacking the organ systems that it usually attacks and usually leaves the infected individual disabled or with a couple of impairments.
The basic premise about vaccination is that it is an effective and already proven method of preventing disease outbreaks and further spread of infection of mostly communicable and highly-contagious diseases. Medical professionals usually assume that once an effective vaccination treatment has been discovered, the battle against the specific disease that the vaccine could treat is already over. This is because once an individual or children gets vaccinated; he couldn’t be infected with a particular disease anymore.
Let us use the common flu as an example. If a child was able to receive flu vaccination shots before the flu virus hit him, then there is a very high probability that he cannot get infected with flu anymore. Vaccines are usually done when an individual is already old enough to take injections. A baby as young as two months could actually receive a diphtheria vaccination already (NHS, 2010). However, common flu virus strains tend to change from time to time so an individual who wants to be immune from common flu may be required to take vaccines from time to time.
Vaccination is the most cost-effective way of preventing diseases. Basically, you want to be immune from these diseases because you are concerned about your health and you do not want to suffer from the impairments that having such disease could bring into your life (like in my Poliomyelitis example). The moment that you receive a poliomyelitis vaccine, you won’t be harmed by its virus already, even when you tend to get viral exposures every once in a while through interaction and other factors.
Plus, a cost-effective way of medication is by far the most possible way for you to save money that would have been used for direct medical care and healthcare costs. If you tend to get ill due to a certain virus multiple times (say 2-3) times a year, you will really need medical assistance 2-3 times a year too. Now, compare that if you have been vaccinated for that particular disease already. You won’t have to lie in bed to rest just because you got infected again anymore because basically, you are already immune to that disease. Vaccination really improves your way of life and it’s really worth a try for every child (CIG, 2007).
References
FLU.gov. (2012). Vaccination & Vaccine Safety. Accessed January 2012. Available at http://www.flu.gov/prevention-vaccination/vaccination/index.html.
ADAM. (2011). Poliomyelitis. Accessed January 2012. Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002375/.
NHS. (2010). When are Vaccinations Given. Accessed January 2012. Available at http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/1039.aspx?CategoryID=62&SubCategoryID=63.
CIG. (2007). The Benefits of Vaccines. Canadian Immunization Guide Seventh Edition. Accessed January 2012. Available at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/publicat/cig-gci/p01-02-eng.php.
