What do you think the role of government should be regarding mandatory vaccines? What is your personal opinion? Support with quotes!
1. Choose one. These articles contain the same content, but the reading levels differ.:
https://newsela.com/articles/measles-disney/id/7072/ (Grade 12 reading level)
https://newsela.com/articles/measles-disney/id/7099/ (Grade 9 reading level)
2. Read both of the articles below.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/opinion/reckless-rejection-of-the-measles-vaccine.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/31/us/vaccine-critics-turn-defensive-over-measles.html
3. Feel free to do your own additional research on this topic. There is a lot of good video out there as well.
4. Write your response on the blog. Summarize the vaccine debate, and take a position as to what the role of government and lawmakers should be regarding the vaccination of children. What is your personal opinion? Be sure to use a minimum of two quotes in your response.
The Measles is a very contagious ("90 percent of the people who are not immune to the disease will become infected if exposed to a measles carrier") respiratory disease caused by a virus. In January of this year, there has been over 100 reported cases of this disease over 14 states. Over half are part of an outbreak originating in Disneyland, California, last year. Although there is a measles vaccine that is over 95% effective, many parents haves decided to opt there children out of vaccinations. Some have opted out due to religious beliefs. Recently, the anti-vaccination movement has been headed by people who chose to opt out for "personal beliefs."
ReplyDeleteIn 1998, a report was published that linked the M.M.G. vaccine with autism. This study has long been deemed fraudulent, but some still believe in the link. Others, many of affluence decide to have their children lead, "all-natural" lives, free from vaccinations and doctors. Fearing large corporations, "Some parents forgo shots altogether. Others split vaccine doses or stretch out their timeline, worried about somehow overwhelming their children’s immune system" ("Vaccine Critics Turn Defensive Over Measles"). Scientists, such as pediatrician Eric Ball, are frustrated that certain parents are risking a public heath crisis for personal beliefs and are attempting to persuade others to follow them.
I believe that, to an extent, parents should be allowed make all health decisions regarding their children. However, when it becomes a public health risk, it is the government;s responsibility to protect its citizens and to take measures to prevent the spread of an illness. Thus, the government should restrict where unvaccinated people can go and officials must change laws on vaccination requirements.
This spike in cases of reported measles is of heightened interest to those groups who are deemed at "high risk of complication" if they contract it. According to the New York Times, "Young infants, pregnant women, children suffering from leukemia, and people with weak immune systems, among others, can’t take the vaccine and could suffer great harm from measles, including encephalitis and even death" ("Reckless Rejection of the Measles Vaccination"). When a disease resurfaces, as the measles has, it becomes irresponsible to put other children and adults at risk of catching measles to avoid vaccination. Thus, this situation might require government interference.
LONG LIVE THE MEASLES!
DeleteEvery parent must make the effort to vaccinate their children for the benefit of them and those who surround them. Children without vaccinations pose a threat to those who are unable to have vaccines such as newborns, cancer patients, and other immunodeficiency disorders that make vaccines to them useless. The idea of not vaccinating children dates as far back as pre WW2 when suspicion over the contents of vaccines started to spread. Now, people are worrying that the chemicals in vaccines could cause social disorders in their children with "Some parents are suspicious of the shots, worrying that they cause autism" However, medical professionals have ample evidence to deny many of the claims against vaccinations. However, some are still skeptical saying "I wanted to be informed and not trust what medical professionals said". These are the people we have to protect their children against, their own parents. The only way to do that is to have more government regulations regarding vaccines by ensuring that all students enrolled in public school are vaccinated, and lowering funding to that school if those needs are not met. This will in turn make the public schools more restrictive of these non vaccinated pupils, barring them from schools until they are caught up on vaccinations. While doctors may not be regulated by the government, they also must be proactive, ensuring that they have a practice of vaccinated patients and refusing to treat those who pose a threat to other patients. If a parent makes the decision to not vaccinate their children because of baseless claims of vaccines, we need to in turn protect those who need to be protected. It is our duty to provide a safe and healthy environment to those who need it and non immunized children pose a significant threat to that environment. We eradicated so many viral infections that we would never think about getting measles, smallpox, or mumps. That's because vaccines were the driving force to their extinction.
ReplyDeleteMeasles are a highly infectious disease that can be quickly spread through sneezing or coughing. The recent outbreak of this disease originated in Disneyland, located in California. Some parents choose not to vaccinate their children, making them more susceptible to infectious diseases. A Californian mother has said, “She “’meditated on it a lot’” before deciding not to vaccinate her son Tobias, 8, against even “’deadly or deforming diseases.’” She said she did not want “so many toxins” entering the slender body of a bright-eyed boy who loves math and geography (…) Tobias has endured chickenpox and whooping cough…” Many parents who choose to forgo vaccinations believe that they are harmful to their children’s health by overwhelming their systems with chemicals, and that these shots are linked to autism, even though these scientific claims have been refuted. On the other hand, the majority of the population that does vaccinate their children believe that not vaccinating your child is a public health issue. Measles can easily be spread by infected children in schools, grocery stores, and other recreation areas. By not vaccinating your child it puts many other children and adults at risk. Measles is highly infective, “90 percent of the people who are not immune to the disease will become infected if exposed to a measles carrier.” The Government should enforce a vaccination policy for schools because it is a public space. Legally, if a parent claims that they don’t use vaccinations for religious purposes, it is unlawful to make them do it according to the first amendment, which guaranties freedom of religion. In my personal opinion, it should be mandatory to be up-to-date on your vaccinations if you attend a public school. Not only are you putting your child in danger, you’re endangering other children and adults, along with people who have a weaker immune system, such as someone with leukemia. It’s irresponsible to not properly vaccinate your child.
ReplyDeleteEmily H.
According to both of the articles that I read, the Measles have been making a comeback in the population in California, an incident that can be extremely dangerous for certain people. It can have a detrimental effect on the elderly, young children, people sick with Leukemia, and pregnant women. According to "Reckless Rejection of the Measles," it says, "In Orange County, Calif., some schools report that 20 percent to 40 percent of parents have sought a personal-beliefs exemption. Last year, 79 percent of the cases of measles in the unvaccinated in the United States were connected to personal-belief exemptions." Personal or religious beliefs play a huge role in why many people opt to not have their children vaccinated. One mother explains, “ ‘I didn’t want to flood her (her child) system with a bunch of chemicals all at once. I wanted to be informed and not trust what medical professionals said.’ ” In doing this, however, while one child does not get vaccinated, others are at a greater risk of being infected with the Measles. This is why the debate over whether or not a child should be vaccinated to be allowed to go to school is unable to be solved easily. However, it is necessary for a child to be vaccinated, because when you fail to vaccinate yourself or your child, you are putting others at risk of being infected.
ReplyDeleteJillian M.
Measles is a highly infectious disease that causes white spots on the inside of your mouth, dry cough and sore eyes. Some parents however neglect to take a vaccine that solves such an epidemic problem under the feel that it will result in deformities such as autism. "Measles is so contagious that 90 percent of the people who are not immune to the disease will become infected if exposed to a measles carrier. Even after an infected person leaves the room, the virus can hang around and infect people for a couple of hours." Such an infectious disease is one that shouldnot be left underestimated by so many people as it already is. Parents who don't vaccinate themselves and their children pose a serious threat to themselves and others who, if they get the disease, may infect as well. While I do sympathize with parents who don't vaccinate their children because they are just scared of injecting a lot of chemicals into their young ones. However such a thought shouldn'tt exist when you think of the fact that such a disease can and will inflict massive pain onto someone who has had the misfortune to contract such a disease to the point of death. People who haven't taken said vaccine should not be allowed to attend school or nay other event in public to ensure the safety of the people they usually come in contact with. "The tragedy is that there is a highly effective vaccine that federal health officials deem 95 percent to 97 percent effective." While I would understand parents if they thought that the vaccine probably won't work anyway so why risk such a thing, but the reality is that it has such a small margin of error that thinking it wouldn't help would just be an incorrect statement of fact. The government should intervene in such an inure as people of this anti-vaccination movement pose a threat to America as a whole and even internationally as such a outbreak originating in Disney World may spread to other countries.
ReplyDeleteIt has been reported that there is an outbreak of measles all throughout California, Mexico, and many other states. The measles are an infectious disease that causes fever and a red rash on the skin, it typically occurs in childhood. The measles are very contagious and can remain active for a maximum of two hours. Which means you can contract the virus from door handles, touching, and other surfaces. This outbreak of measles, that first started about 5 months ago in California, was first caused by parents opting not to have their children vaccinated for their own personal beliefs. They then proceeded to let their children go to school with them having the measles, and risk the exposure of anyone else contracting it. Health officials ordered the students out of the school and told them to stay in their houses for an incubation period of 21 days. The measles vaccination is very effective, but some parents opt out for the vaccination because of their personal beliefs. It is supported that many officials and health officers believe, if you do not want your child to get a vaccine that can help prevent the measles, you should keep your child home. Away from other children who are susceptible to get the measles. In the New York Times article, “Reckless Rejection of the Measles Vaccine”, it says, “young infants, pregnant women, children suffering from leukemia, and people with weak immune systems, among others, can’t take the vaccine and could suffer great harm from measles,including encephalitis and even death”. The harmfulness of measles on people with a weak immune system can be very taxing for people. The more people choose not to vaccinate their child/children, the more they are putting other people in danger of contracting this virus. The measles isn’t the only virus that some parents do not have their children vaccinated from, but it is one that is highly dangerous and can cause harm to others if not well contained. Another New York Times article, “Vaccine Critics Turn Defensive Over Measles”, it says, “Among the fully vaccinated, the chances of contracting measles are small but do exist; the C.D.C. says the vaccine is more than 95 percent effective”. If the measles vaccination isn’t harmful as some accused it was and it does prove to be very effective wouldn’t it be in the best interest to get children vaccinated? I believe that officials were right in trying to control the situation by sending kids who didn't have proof of their vaccination, home. If people decide not to listen and refuse to get a vaccination or try to bring their child to school then I think that officials might then have to interfere.
ReplyDeleteAriana D
After over 100 cases of measles have been reported across the United States in 14 states, families all over are refusing to have their child vaccinated. Measles is a very contagious disease with death as a possible result. Newborns and those with already weakened immune systems are highly susceptible to the disease. Doctors are urging parents to get their child vaccinated, if not already, but many parents are refusing to do so, putting their children and others at danger. Parents from wealthy areas in California don’t want their child vaccinated because, “it is a belief that they raise their children in a natural, organic environment,” (Vaccine Critics Turn Defensive Over Measles). They are skeptical towards large medical companies and are fearful that they are putting dangerous toxins into their children's bodies. Another reason that many families chose not to get their children vaccinated is that there had been a reported connection between this vaccine and autism, which was proved false. Many parents refuse to give the vaccine to their children is, “because they believe, mistakenly, that it would cause autism,” (Reckless Rejection of the Measles Vaccine). I believe that it should be required for parents to have their children get the vaccine against measles before it is too late. It doesn’t only affect their own child’s life, but the lives of the people with weak immune systems that they come in contact with. Also, if the disease mutates and a new strain is formed, it may be a strain that the vaccine doesn’t cover and those who thought they were protected no longer are safe. Children not currently vaccinated should be required to stay home from school because you can have the disease for four days before showing symptoms and it could spread during that time. If children were to all be required to be vaccinated, then the outbreak wouldn’t have occurred and spread so quickly.
ReplyDeleteEmma Dwyer period 1
In recent times, there has been a large outbreak of the contagious and deadly virus, measles. California has been hit extraordinarily hard with measles. 5 Disneyland employees were confirmed to have the virus and nationwide, there has been over 100 cases. "Measles is so contagious that 90 percent of the people who are not immune to the disease will become infected if exposed to a measles carrier. Even after an infected person leaves the room, the virus can hang around and infect people for a couple of hours." As stated, this is a serious disease that needs to be addressed by everyone. I think that parents who don't choose to give their children the vaccine are still addressing the issue, they are just being silly about it. However, this being said, they have the right to their decision. I, myself, know the benefits of the vaccine and if I was a parent I would definitely want my children to get vaccinated. In the "Reckless Rejection of the Measles Vaccine" article, they reported that "Young infants, pregnant women, children suffering from leukemia, and people with weak immune systems, among others, can’t take the vaccine and could suffer great harm from measles, including encephalitis and even death.", and that "The tragedy is that there is a highly effective vaccine that federal health officials deem 95 percent to 97 percent effective". All the facts point to the obvious decision that children should be vaccinated, so why don't I force the vaccine on everyone? This may be unpopular opinion but I think that we should stop sticking our noses into everyone's business if it isn't hurting us. I did some further research on the vaccine, "Measles is a terrific vaccine. If you get two doses, it's predicted to protect 99.99 percent of people for life.". This means that someone like myself, who has been vaccinated, has nothing to worry about from other people who haven't been vaccinated. We all have a choice, some many choose to take that opportunity, others may choose to leave it alone. If that decision doesn't directly impact you in a harmful way, then you shouldn't try and tell someone how to live their life.
ReplyDeleteTom S Period 1
The measles is a very contagious and possibly threatening disease that is sweeping through states like California. The main issue is the children who are unvaccinated against the disease and coming into the public schools with it, spreading it amongst other kids. How contagious it is amongst students is the biggest concern, considering "that a single sick person who walks into a community of completely unimmunized people infects 12 to 18 of them". Many parents aren't vaccinating their children as a personal belief, but I think that's wrong. I understand you have the right to your own body and you can do what you please, but purposely putting your child in danger simply because of what you believe is wrong. I think all schools should require this vaccine before the kids are allowed to attend, because then this whole outbreak wouldn't have spread so quickly and put so many lives at risk to this disease.
ReplyDeleteKylee D Period 1
Child illness is a very important matter. At a young age virus or sickness can be lethal to a young child because of their weak and underdeveloped immune system. It is up to the parents to do the right thing and make sure their children get the best medical support. Even though illness is a threat especially in months during the winter some parents refuse to get their children the proper medical care. These people make up 3.1 percent of California's population. Measles is spreading all throughout the state of California. The measles are an infectious disease that causes a fever and a red rash on the skin. The measles are very contagious and can remain active for a maximum of two hours. Which means you can contract the virus from being close by to some one when they cough or sneeze. "Measles is so contagious that 90 percent of the people who are not immune to the disease will become infected if exposed to a measles carrier". There are many residents of California that have not been vaccinated by choice. They are prone to the measles and could potentially end up in the hospital. Should people be allowed to take that risk? Should they be allowed to let their children have to face that risk? This being a controversial question also has a political twist to it. Republicans and Democrats have faced this question and the answers have been incompatible. These people should feel forced into taking these vaccines but rather feel it is the right thing to do to be healthy. It should be required by law to have these vaccination for the better health of America.
ReplyDelete-Mike A.
These articles are about how measles has spread across the country and it all started in Disney thanks to the many people that travel across the world to visit Disney and because vaccines are less common in other countries it was easier to spread and also the other articles talk about how some people don't believe in vaccines but others think people should always gt the vaccines for there kids or else they are putting there kids in danger by deciding against the vaccines also even though kids can get easily infected by these diseases parents still refuse to get there kids vaccinated. The government should strongly encourage vaccines but at the same time the government should not be allowed or be able to make people take vaccines because that is an abuse of power however i think everyone should take and have there children take vaccines and maybe there should be some type of penalty for not doing so. Tyler R
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ReplyDeleteMeasles is a highly contagious disease that is spreading through many states as of right now. The first case happened in Disneyland just about a month ago. It is said that this outbreak in CA is the worst in 15 years. Measles causes rash which is first shown on the head and later spread throughout the rest of the body. It can be spread through little things like coughing and sneezing. Some symptoms include fever, red eyes and a runny nose. As of now there has been over 80 cases in 14 states.The outbreak of the measles could have been prevented if the parents vaccinated their children. The Newsela article mentions,"Since 2002, fewer and fewer kindergartners have been starting elementary school with all their vaccinations.Some parents are suspicious of the shots, worrying that they cause autism, even though many scientific reports have thoroughly shown that they do not."I believe the government should enforce this vaccine even more than before. Kids are unprotected.Its not correct for someone else's personal choices to believe dozens of people. Newsela wrote,"In the Huntington Beach City School District, many kindergarten classes have more than 8 percent of students who are not vaccinated. At S. A. Moffett Elementary, 10 percent were not vaccinated. At Huntington Seacliff Elementary, it was 11 percent.
As of 2013, only 3.1 percent of kindergartners statewide were unvaccinated." This is an extremely scary thought because I have a sister whos in kindergarten. If one of her classmates parents were against the vaccine, it will affect her and our whole family. There has been a case in 1977 where about 50,000 students in LA county were told to stay home until vaccinated. Most of them returned to schools after being vaccinated and there was also a decrease to the measles cases.In the New York times article "Reckless Rejections of Measles Vaccine", it says, "Young infants, pregnant women, children suffering from leukemia, and people with weak immune systems, among others, can’t take the vaccine and could suffer great harm from measles, including encephalitis and even death." I don't think that someone else's future should be on the hands of others. They have their right to believe but they don't have the right to harm others because of their beliefs. If a child is not vaccinated then they should be home schooled or get other options. The Federal Health Officials state that the vaccine is highly effective. If there is a cure to all this, why not take it? I think everyone needs to be educated on this disease and alarmed.
- Shradha S P-1
The measles outbreak has been caused due to lack of vaccinations. According to the Newsela article, 5 disneyland employees are diagnosed with the measels. That number should be zero. Vaccinations should be mandatory, for all children. Measels have been cured for decades now, and they shouldn't be skipped. Also, according to the New York Times story, 90% of all people not immune to measels will become infected if exposed. That's a dangerous number. Schools need to make mandatory check-ups on what shots their students have taken. It's an outbreak that is dangerous, and it needs vaccines.
ReplyDelete-Scott P1
DeleteSome parents choose to not vaccinate their children against viruses because they believe that these viruses can no longer be spread or the vaccination will cause their child to become autistic. One of the viruses that people are worried about is the measles. Because many believe that the virus can't be spread, and refuse to vaccinate their children, it has caused unnecessary outbreaks. People with this illness spread it to people who are not vaccinated therefore creating an outbreak. The New York Times says,” Young infants, pregnant women, children suffering from leukemia, and people with weak immune systems, among others, can’t take the vaccine and could suffer great harm from measles,including encephalitis and even death”(Reckless Rejection of the Measles Vaccine, New York Times). Because of this statement, many people believe that un vaccinated children should be banned from public schools and pediatricians office. I believe that it is important that all children who have the ability to be vaccinated do so. It is unfair that families could suffer from someone else's choice. By making sure all children are vaccinated, it allows people to feel more comfortable about going to school and playing on the playground with others. Although I understand some parents concern over the topic, I still feel as though it puts more lives at risk if an unvaccinated child could potentially affect other children. I strongly believe that by vaccinating all children, it's an easy way to stop the highly contagious virus from spreading. Overall, I believe that vaccinating all children is very important because it protects families and children from unnecessary outbreaks of this contagious disease.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa S . P. 1
Considering the fact that the measles is such a contagious and harmful disease I feel that the vaccination is definitely necessary. Not only is this protecting the child receiving the vaccine but also the other people he or she comes into contact with. My opinion is that the vaccine should be mandatory to all students in the public school systems, and strongly encouraged to even those who are not in school for their own protection. The Newslea article stated that "Since 2002 fewer and fewer kindergarteners have been starting school with all of there vaccinations." This poses great concern to me because these students are going to be more vulnerable to disease.The New York times article also states that "90% of all people not immune to measles will become infected if exposed. This statistic shows how easily this disease is transmitted. The outbreak in Disney land could've easily been prevented and should have never happened. We are very lucky to have access to these vaccines and therefore we should take advantage of them to protect ourselves.
ReplyDeleteSam Coleman
In todays world there is a problem emerging that shouldn't be a problem at all. This problem is whether it should be mandatory or not for children to get vaccines.This problem has gained a lot of attention because of a recent measles out break that is getting kids infected with the measles and because of that could be putting their lives in danger. The government however has the power to change that and should have a big role in making vaccines mandatory for children. The government should take charge and just make vaccines mandatory seeing that vaccines nowadays aren't dangerous at all and according to the New York Times they have even gone as far as to eradicate some illnesses from this planet, that is until parents refused to give their children vaccines. Also if the government just made vaccines mandatory then these outbreaks and public wide scares wouldn't exist which at the end of the day isn't a bad thing at all.
ReplyDeleteJake J 1st
dude if i was lebron james i would personally come to where you are and tell you no as you are wrong
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