Mandatory Vaccination in US Essay Example

Puritan Minister—advocated for vaccination. However, it was Edward Jenner who revolutionized the practice of vaccination with his development of the first smallpox vaccine using cowpox (Frederick, John, et al. 2015).

In 1796, Jenner introduced the smallpox vaccine which was first used to treat cows. This revolutionary vaccination method has successfully eradicated smallpox for over two centuries. In 1809, Massachusetts became the inaugural state in the US to offer free smallpox vaccinations and subsequently enacted a compulsory law. President James Madison then granted authorization for the vaccine via legislation in 1813, resulting in the creation of the National Vaccine Agency (Frederick, John, et al.).

Massachusetts made it obligatory for schoolchildren to receive vaccinations in 1855. By 1963, more than 20 states in the United States had introduced vaccination programs in public schools. Additionally, Pasteur's development of a rabies vaccine in 1885 resulted in a notable rise in human disease vaccinations. Various vaccines were created throughout the 1930s for illnesses including typhoid (1899), polio (1955), measles (1963), rubella (1969), diphtheria (1914), tuberculosis (1921), among others.

In 1905, Massachusetts upheld mandatory vaccination in the USA through a ruling by the supreme court. As a result, numerous states across the nation commenced the enforcement of mandatory vaccination for children attending public schools. The interviewee confirmed her previous involvement in administering vaccines to her two sons during their early years. Moreover, she expressed agreement that mandatory vaccines are secure for children as they contribute to their overall health and well-being. Thus, mandatory vaccination carries significant significance for both children and their parents.

Vaccinations have a profound effect on the lives of children, saving them from diseases. With an effectiveness rate of 90%, vaccines annually

protect approximately 2.5 million children, which is equivalent to around 285 children per hour. Moreover, vaccinations play a crucial role in preventing deaths caused by measles.

Vaccination has proven successful in eradicating smallpox and almost all other preventable diseases. Furthermore, vaccines provide economic and time advantages for both children and their parents. Administering the necessary vaccines to a child reduces the need for hospital visits or medical care when they fall ill, leading to lower medical expenses (Frederick, John, et al. 2015). Additionally, vaccines protect the entire population by immunizing a significant portion of individuals against contagious illnesses, ensuring their safety.

Vaccination has several positive outcomes, such as safeguarding children's lives and protecting future generations. When mothers receive vaccines, they can protect their unborn children from viruses that may cause fatal congenital conditions (Frederick, John, et al. 2015). Furthermore, vaccination allows communities to eradicate diseases for future generations. By vaccinating young women against rubella, the spread of the disease to upcoming generations can be controlled.

To sum up, vaccination is essential for both children and their parents. Vaccinating the children not only saves their lives but also shields them from diseases. This preventive effort also saves the mother both time and money that would have been spent on the children.

Work cited

1. Frederick, John, et al. "1870 The Impact of Mandatory Versus Non-Mandatory Vaccination Programs on Employee Sick Days During Three Consecutive Acute Respiratory Illness Seasons: Observations From the Respect Study." Open Forum Infectious Diseases. Vol. 2. No. suppl 1.

Oxford University Press, 2015.