In this article Colin Campbell and Jill Colvin have reported over the protest to be held against annual influenza vaccination requirements. Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing mandatory flu vaccination for children under the age of five, and residing in New York. This mandate by the Health Department suggests that, the vaccination would prevent children against influenza. The Board of Health has reported 20,000 hospitalizations and between 30-150 deaths of children under five due to influenza. But a vocal group is opposing the idea on the basis that the vaccination is potentially dangerous.
According to my viewpoint, people who are opposing the vaccination are ignorant. If a medical condition can be prevented then people should take those steps. However, believing otherwise is a sign of illiteracy. This illiteracy is not in the literal sense, but it shows lack of understanding of this phenomena. Influenza is a minor medical condition but as it can be life threatening then people should take it more seriously. If doctors and medical professionals are able to prove that these vaccinations will not have negative side affects then they may be able to change perceptions.
Even though, the numbers of people opposing this mandate are few it can have an impact on people who are proponents of this mandate, if publicity is given to these few people. Protests like this, cause disturbance in the city and if things get out of control then it can have a widespread impact. The Health Board can launch an awareness campaign that would work towards reducing these negative feelings against the mandate. Locals should help the authorities in overcoming this opposition. However, people should be given a freedom to choose whether they want to get their children vaccinated or not.
References
CAMPBELL, C., & COLVIN, J. (n.d.). PolitickerNY. Politicker Protest Planned Against LastMinute Bloomberg Push for Mandatory FluVaccines Comments. Retrieved February 18, 2014, from http://politicker.com/2013/12/protest-planned-against-last-minute-bloomberg-push-for-mandatory-flu-vaccines/
