Researched Critical Analysis Draft

  1. Background Information
    1. History of anti-vaxxers
      1. When first introduced, people thought vaccines were unnatural and wrong.
        1. Edward Jenner, smallpox vaccine
    2. How vaccines work
      1. Weakened pathogens are used for the body to create antibodies to fight off the disease if someone was to come into contact with it again.
    3. Types of exemptions
      1. Philosophical
        1. Infringes on someone’s personal ideologies or morals.
      2. Religious
        1. Some religious groups are against vaccination because it goes against their beliefs.
      3. Medical
        1. People who are immunocompromised or too young cannot receive vaccines.

Thesis: States should do away with non-medical exemptions and require parents to vaccinate their children.

  1. The benefits of immunization outweigh the risks
    1. Decreases the risk of contracting deadly childhood diseases.
    2. Responsible for eradicating dangerous diseases.
    3. Protects children from fatal childhood illnesses.
  2. Natural acquired immunity is stronger.
    1. Vaccines are not 100% effective
      1. Require multiple doses that may not be effective.
      2. In some cases, people who were affected by an outbreak were vaccinated.
    2. Vaccines contain harmful ingredients
      1. Formaldehyde
      2. Thimerosal
      3. Aluminum
    3. Vaccines can cause adverse effects that can do more harm than the disease itself.
      1. Severe infections
      2. Encephalitis
      3. Death
      4. Autism
  3. Risking a child’s life for natural acquired immunity can have effects more dangerous than the vaccine itself. Though not 100 percent effective, it is better to be safe than sorry.
    1. Effects of childhood diseases that children have been vaccinated for.
    2. Vaccines are tested for safety and constantly reviewed while they are being administered.
      1. Dosages of ingredients are negligible and safe for babies and adults.
  4. Diseases that people are vaccinated for have been eradicated, so vaccines are unnecessary.
    1. Vaccines for diseases were introduced around the time that they were not as common.
  5. Though we do not see these illnesses as much in the states, they still exist in developing countries.
    1. Unvaccinated people who travel can spread the diseases.
      1. Measles outbreak in Ohio due to travelers returning from the Philippines, where it had not been eradicated.
  6. People should be able to choose whether or not to vaccinate their kids
    1. Infringes on their freedom to choose
      1. Government should not intervene with personal medical decisions.
    2. Parents just want what’s best for their child.
      1. Parents know their child best and should be allowed to choose whether or not a vaccine will be good for them.
  7. Not vaccinating your child is not only affecting the child and their family.
    1. Herd immunity
      1. Protects those who cannot get vaccinated.
      2. Decreases in herd immunity can be dangerous.
        1. Outbreaks in Europe due to a drop in vaccination rates.
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