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Immunizations: Yay or Nay?

By Jason Bottlinger on September 6, 2017

August was National Immunization Awareness Month. It’s the perfect time to visit one of America’s most controversial topics: immunizations. Basically, immunization is the method of vaccinating people to make them immune to certain diseases. A vaccine is either a dead or weak disease organism that is administered through injection, by mouth, or even by aerosol.

Proponents of immunization value it as a modern, medical marvel. The opposition sees it as a problem that could cause more harm than good.

Let’s dive right in.

Cons

Some people believe that immunizations are dangerous because of their contents. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), vaccines contain ingredients such as thimerosal, aluminum salts, and formaldehyde. These chemicals may cause illness in some people.

In addition to this, the CDC reports that some vaccines, such as the adenovirus vaccine, may cause adverse effects, both mild and serious. Some of these effects include:

• Headaches and upper respiratory tract infections
• Abdominal pain
• Sore throat or joint pain
• Pneumonia and inflammation of the stomach or intestines

There are also many people who believe that vaccines are unnatural and that natural immunity is a much better option; not to mention a certain Hollywood segment which claims vaccinations cause autism.

Pros

While it is true that vaccines carry a list of ingredients that can be harmful, the doses are too small to cause harm; instead, they build up the body’s immunity to that particular strain of bacteria or virus. The CDC also reports that the adverse effects that do occur, rarely happen—especially the more severe effects.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates vaccines and ensures that they are investigated by scientists and doctors before being released to the public. In addition to this, many authoritative groups such as the FDA, the American Medical Association (AMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognize vaccines as safe and highly beneficial in protecting the world from harmful diseases.

According to the CDC and vaccines.gov, immunizations have eradicated or nearly eradicated diseases such as:

• Smallpox
• Polio
• Measles
• Whooping cough (pertussis)
• Rubella

Vaccinations have also caused a decline in the development of pneumococcal infections. While the spread of some diseases has decreased, others remain. This means that vaccines are still necessary. And with constant studies and technological advancements, more diseases will (hopefully) be eradicated in the future.

Vaccines are largely safe; but not all medications are. If you ever feel like you have been harmed by medical malpractice, medication maladministration, or a drug defect, contact the legal team at Bottlinger Law L.L.C. for a free consultation.