Question

Vaccination comes with rumors of causing autism and SIDS. Some side effects do exist for some vaccines and hence some parents refuse to accept risks. However, that results in the loss of herd immunity if many people do not get vaccinated. As a public health practitioner, discuss why and how vaccination is essential in deterring and preventing infectious pandemics. How would you argue that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Answer 1

Vaccines can prevent infectious diseases that once killed or harmed many infants, children, and adults. Without vaccines, your child is at risk for getting seriously ill and suffering pain, disability, and even death from diseases like measles and whooping cough.

• Vaccination is a highly effective, safe and easy way to help keep your family healthy.
• On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
• Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.

Like any medicine, vaccines can cause side effects such as a low-grade fever, or pain and redness at injection site. Mild reactions go away within a few days on their own.

Severe, long lasting side effects are extremely rare.