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Introduction
Since the smallpox vaccination was invented, there has been excessive debate and controversy regarding morality, effectiveness, ethics and safety of these immunizations that the doctor recommend that early vaccinations should start from the time of child’s birth. Much argument has been placed whether a law should be passed by government to provide some or all of the important vaccinations as compulsory for children. Although vaccinations have proven to be an efficient way of preventing dangerous effects, it should still be the parents’ decision to get their child vaccinated or not.
Should vaccinations be made compulsory- Argument and Support for the case
When we look into the fact that whether vaccinations be made compulsory or not it is important to note that health care specialists, nurses, children, teachers and most importantly parents have a lot of stake in this case. Even though most parents believe that vaccinations are essential for their children and they are public health’s greatest accomplishment and blessing for human being but still the decision to vaccinate or not to vaccinate should be left on parents. On the other hand, doctors and nurses propose the fact that the vaccinations provide immunity to dangerous diseases that can spread from one person to another. Hence, the vaccination law should be compulsory. (Ritov, p,263)
One of the most essential characteristics of vaccinations is that they provide protection for both the individual and for the community as a whole. Most of the diseases against which the vaccinations are done to increase the immunity level are transmitted from one person to another. When a large percentage of individuals in the community are immunized from that particular disease, there is a greater likelihood that diffusion rate of that disease will be lower as compared to the spread when no immunizations are compulsory. (Ogden, p.424)
Parents who believe that vaccinating or not vaccinating their child should be their personal decision argue that vaccines can be effective and can provide safety precautions from seriously dangerous diseases, but they are not 100% effective or safe. It is also clear that some individuals who receive immunizations can have an undesirable reaction to them and may not be protected as the vaccine claims. It is important that in order to change this viewpoint, special care should be taken when developing vaccinations so as the likelihood of any adverse reaction be reduced. Some children already have allergic problems or other diseases that can make their body react with the immunizations. Hence, these children should not receive immunizations. If the law is passed to make the vaccinations compulsory, then it will be extremely difficult for cases like these to surpass it. (Ogden, pp. 425-428)
Another very concrete argument provided by both sides of the theory that whether parents should decide to vaccinate or not vaccinate their child is that it is freedom of choice and after all it is their child they should be making the final decision. It is freedom of choice of parents whether their child should be given medical treatment and also the judgment to refuse if they believe it is not good for their children. If the laws are made and it becomes compulsory to vaccinate, it takes away the basic right of freedom from citizens that itself is against the law. Recently cases have been reported that deaths have occurred due to low-quality vaccinations or inappropriate vaccination process by medical practitioners. Not only this but many children have been exposed to different allergic reactions, severe inclinations to some medicines in vaccinations. Hence, it could be easily claimed that every individual body responds differently to immunizations. According to Ritov (pp.263-277) The risks of these vacations cannot be eliminated, and no one can claim that these are 100% safe. So it should be completely left on parents to make the final decision whether they want to vaccinate or not.
It is also important to note that the communication or interaction parents have with their health specialist can also help them in finalizing their decision in this regard. At times the parents have, their strong concept of not vaccinating may be due to their experience, due to their cultural beliefs, past or what they have seen others experience. The way their health practitioner deal with the situation and explain the significance of vaccinations can leave a remarkable impact on the final decision of parents. (Ogden, pp. 424-428). Also, some parents have strong religious beliefs against vaccination, and some are not opposed to vaccination but the concept that these should be made mandatory for every child. They believe that parents should have the decision power to decide the best for their child.
Conclusion
Much argument has been placed whether a law should be passed by government to provide some or all of the important vaccinations as compulsory for children. Although vaccinations have proven to be an efficient way of preventing dangerous effects, it should still be the parents’ decision to get their child vaccinated or not. When we look into the fact that whether vaccinations be made compulsory or not it is important to note that health care specialists, nurses, children, teachers and most importantly parents have a lot of stake in this case. One of the most essential characteristics of vaccinations is that they provide protection for both the individual and for the community as a whole.
It is quite understandable that vaccinations help in relieving and curing many dangerous diseases, but it should be parents decision to treat their child medically or not. These decisions are influenced by many factors. Maybe the child is already ill, and parents believe that vaccinations will worsen the case for them, maybe they are not too comfortable with the injection safety and precautions and the efficiency of the vaccinations. It could also be possible that parents decide the vaccination basis on their experiences with immunizations and health care providers. It is also important to note that the communication or interaction parents have with their health specialist can also help them in finalizing their decision in this regard. At times, the parents have, their strong concept of not vaccinating may be due to their experience, due to their cultural beliefs, past, or what they have seen others experience. We know that making decisions for their children can be very difficult for parents and quite a lot of parents whether they support immunizations or not will take a cautious stance based on the current circumstances to decide what is best for their child. I believe that this decision should be left for parents to finalize on, and the laws should not make it compulsory for them.
Work Cited
Ogden J. Some problems with social cognition models: a pragmatic and conceptual analysis.Health Psychology, 2003, 22:424-8
Ritov I, Baron, J. Reluctance to vaccinate: omission bias and ambiguity Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, 1990, 3:263-77
