Mandatory Vaccinations

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These occurrences of old diseases exemplify that anti-vaccine movements may cause a resurrection of diseases in the United States that were practically eliminated by vaccines. Some states like California and Missouri has passed some laws referring to minors’ not needing parental consent for immunizations (Whelan, 2016). Letting minors decide to be vaccinated or not can help them look into vaccinations more and become more educated in making their own decision. Legislators, public health workers, and others encourage getting vaccinated so there will be no chance of any old disease resurging into the population. However, religious exemption will most likely remain since religion freedom is constitutional. It is encouraged to look at scientific facts and not listen to the media when it comes to a controversial issue, especially when the results can be disastrous to a whole community.

References

Ciolli, A. (2008). Mandatory School Vaccinations: The Role of Tort Law. The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, 81(3), 129–137.

Kimmel, S. R., & Wolfe, R. M. (2005). Communicating the benefits and risks of vaccines. Journal of family practice, 54(1), S51.

Omer, S. B., Salmon, D. A., Orenstein, W. A., Dehart, M. P., & Halsey, N. (2009). Vaccine refusal, mandatory immunization, and the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases. New England Journal of Medicine, 360 (19), 1981-1988.

Riedel, S. (2005). Edward Jenner and the history of smallpox and vaccination. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 18(1), 21–25.

Swendiman, K. S. (2011). Mandatory vaccinations: Precedent and current laws.

Whelan, A. M. (2016). Lowering the Age of Consent: Pushing Back against the Anti-Vaccine Movement. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 44(3), 462-473.