Benefits Of Mandatory Vaccinations

Pamela Seagraves
ENG COMP II
1/15/12
Maria Mahon

Mandatory Vaccinations
In the United States, vaccines have reduced or eliminated many infectious diseases that once routinely killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults. Regardless of this, more and more parents are becoming concerned about the long-term effects of vaccines and much debate is going on whether vaccinations should be mandatory. This debate is one of the most impassioned issues generated by advocates and opponents of mandatory vaccinations. Advocates believe in the safety of vaccines and that there should not be exemptions, while opponents are adamant that vaccines are a hazard to the health of children and that to make it mandatory would violate human constitutional…show more content…
For the sake of public health, vaccinations should be mandatory for children. Most vaccines are ninety to ninety-nine percent effective in the prevention of diseases. Some anti-vaccinationists go as far as to claim mandatory vaccinations are unconstitutional (Ethical Issues and Vaccines; 2011). However, when it comes to public issues of health and safety, we have other laws that are enforced very strictly to protect children. For instance, we are required by law to restrain children in car seats up to the age of six, we are not permitted to smoke in public facilities, we are required to stop at stop signs. These are all good requirements that protect children and adults. One thing is clear, more and more children would suffer, and sometimes die from diseases that can be avoided by mandatory vaccinations (CDC;…show more content…
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