Should Vaccines for Newborns be Mandatory?

Vaccinations go way back in the 19th century in China and India. Back then, the use of vaccines was able to save people from major illnesses that used to be great threats to humanity. For example, scabs from people who had smallpox were used to protect other people from the lethal disease.

In the modern world, vaccination is one of the best methods to equip a person’s immunity against different diseases. The moment that newborns are brought into the world, they are immediately screened to check any birth defects. In addition to that, they also receive a number of vaccinations that are considered mandatory. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccines prevent 2-3 million fatalities annually. However, many people are not convinced that vaccines are necessary especially for infants.

Vaccine supporters say that vaccines save children’s lives and protect future generations. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics states that most childhood vaccines are 90-99 percent effective in preventing diseases. Not only do vaccines save children from death but also from having childhood diseases.

They also add that institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) certify that vaccines are safe and necessary. Chemicals used in vaccines are provided in safe doses to ensure that children are not at risk of acquiring any serious side effects.

Lastly, they assert that vaccines save parents’ time and money. Through immunization, diseases are eliminated or prevented. Parents are safe from paying for pricey hospital and medical bills. Often times, diseases only cost families’ time and money because the diseases were not prevented.

Opponents say that vaccines are unnatural. They also add that natural infections are the best way to boost infants’ immune systems. A child who has a natural infection promotes his or her immunity to that disease. However, with vaccines, immunity to certain diseases is only achieved after several doses.

Furthermore, vaccines contain hazardous ingredients. Certain ingredients as well as traces of harmful chemicals found in vaccines are linked with conditions such as autism, cardiac impairment, migraine, irritable bowel syndrome, asthma, diabetes, and many more.

Finally, they also emphasize that not all babies have the same reactions to vaccines. The intention to save babies’ lives could work in reverse because vaccines may have serious and deadly side effects. For example, one of the most serious side effects of vaccines is fatal allergic reactions.