Biology & Society
Should More Vaccinations Be Required?
In the 1800s, diphtheria was the scourge of American children. Each winter, tens of thousands of children fell ill with fever and sore throats caused by this airborne bacterium, and thousands died from it. But you may not have heard of it, and you certainly haven't had to worry about it. Only five cases of diphtheria have been recorded in the United States since 2000. The reason is vaccination. In 1920, a vaccine for the disease was introduced and is now mandatory for American schoolchildren. As a result, diphtheria is one of several diseases, including polio, that have all but vanished from our society.
Medical guidelines call for vaccinations against at least 14 childhood diseases. New vaccines have been introduced against diseases that are not usually fatal, such as chicken pox. Some authorities have even suggested that everyone should also be vaccinated against bacteria and viruses that might be used for germ warfare, including anthrax and smallpox. Should all of these vaccinations be required for everyone entering school?
The Viewpoints
Expand Mandatory Vaccinations Infectious diseases are spread from person to person. When they work properly, vaccinations stimulate the immune system in a way that not only protects the vaccinated individual, but also indirectly protects others who may not have been immunized. This helps to improve public health, whether the specific disease in question is life-threatening or not. In addition, vaccination against germ warfare agents renders these potential terrorist weapons useless.
Limit Mandatory Vaccinations There is no question that a limited number of vaccinations against deadly and crippling diseases such as diphtheria and polio makes good sense. However, every vaccination carries with it the risk that the child being vaccinated will experience adverse reactions. Some reactions to vaccinations can be severe.
This boy is receiving a vaccination that is required before he starts school.
More young people now suffer from complications of polio vaccination than develop the disease itself, and smallpox vaccination was discontinued in the early 1970s due to deaths from the vaccine. Students should not be forced to be vaccinated for diseases that are not life-threatening nor for hypothetical threats like germ warfare.
Research and Decide
Analyze the Viewpoints Investigate the diseases for which vaccination is now required to enter school in your state. What would be the risks and benefits of expanding the number of required vaccines? Similarly, what would be the effects of limiting the number of required vaccines to just a handful?
Form an Opinion Compare the results of your research with statements published by U.S. government agencies. Prepare a list of the vaccines that you would make mandatory for all students in your school, and be prepared to defend your decisions.
Table of Contents
- Formulas and Equations
- Applying Formulas and Equations
- Mean, Median, and Mode
- Estimation
- Using Measurements in Calculations
- Effects of Measurement Errors
- Accuracy
- Precision
- Comparing Accuracy and Precision
- Significant Figures
- Calculating With Significant Figures
- Scientific Notation
- Calculating With Scientific Notation
- Dimensional Analysis
- Applying Dimensional Analysis