Posted: April 29th, 2018

Write a word essay – Evaluate the Benefits and Dangers of Immunization at a Tender Age

Write a word essay – Evaluate the Benefits and Dangers of Immunization at a Tender Age

Immunization is the process of introducing a weakened or killed form of a disease-causing organism into the body to stimulate an immune response that can prevent or reduce the severity of future infections. Immunization is also known as vaccination, and it is one of the most effective ways to protect children and adults from many serious and potentially deadly diseases. However, immunization also has some risks and limitations that need to be considered before deciding to vaccinate oneself or one’s child. This paper will evaluate the benefits and dangers of immunization at a tender age, based on scientific evidence and ethical principles.

Benefits of Immunization at a Tender Age

One of the main benefits of immunizing children at a tender age is that it can prevent them from contracting diseases that could cause them serious health problems, such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, hepatitis B, rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, haemophilus influenzae type B, chickenpox, meningococcal disease, and COVID-19 . Some of these diseases are highly contagious and can spread easily among children who are not vaccinated, especially in settings such as schools or day care centers. Some of these diseases can also have severe complications, such as brain damage, paralysis, deafness, blindness, pneumonia, sepsis, or death . By immunizing children at a tender age, they can be protected from these diseases before they are exposed to them in their environment.

Another benefit of immunizing children at a tender age is that it can protect other people in their family and community who cannot be vaccinated or have a weakened immune system, such as infants who are too young to be vaccinated, pregnant women, elderly people, or people with chronic diseases or immunodeficiency disorders . This is because immunization can reduce or eliminate the circulation of disease-causing organisms in the population, creating a phenomenon known as herd immunity. Herd immunity means that when a high percentage of people in a group are immune to a disease, the chances of an outbreak are reduced, and the disease may even disappear over time . For example, thanks to immunization programs, diseases such as smallpox and polio have been eradicated or nearly eradicated worldwide .

Dangers of Immunization at a Tender Age

One of the main dangers of immunizing children at a tender age is that they may experience side effects or adverse reactions to the vaccines. Most of these side effects are mild and short-lived, such as pain, redness, swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, fatigue, or loss of appetite . However, in rare cases, some children may have more serious reactions, such as allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), seizures, fainting spells (syncope), inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), or nerve damage (Guillain-Barré syndrome) . These reactions may require medical attention or hospitalization and may cause permanent disability or death. The risk of these serious reactions varies depending on the type of vaccine and the individual characteristics of the child .

Another danger of immunizing children at a tender age is that they may not develop full immunity to the diseases they are vaccinated against. This is because some vaccines require multiple doses or boosters to maintain their effectiveness over time . If children miss or delay their scheduled doses or boosters, they may become susceptible to infection again. Moreover, some vaccines may not work well for some people due to genetic factors or underlying health conditions that affect their immune response . Furthermore, some vaccines may not protect against all strains or variants of a disease-causing organism that may evolve over time . For example, the influenza vaccine needs to be updated every year to match the circulating strains of the virus.

Conclusion

Immunization is a powerful tool to prevent many infectious diseases that can harm children and adults. Immunizing children at a tender age can protect them from diseases that could cause them serious health problems or even death. It can also protect other people in their family and community who are vulnerable to infection. However, immunization also has some risks and limitations that need to be weighed against its benefits. Immunizing children at a tender age may cause them side effects or adverse reactions that could range from mild to severe. It may also not guarantee full or lasting immunity to the diseases they are vaccinated against. Therefore, parents and caregivers should consult with their health care providers and make informed decisions about immunizing their children at a tender age, based on the best available evidence and their personal values.

References

: WebMD. (2022). Immunizations and Vaccines: Benefits, Risks, Effectiveness. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/children/vaccines/immunizations-vaccines-power-of-preparation

: NHS. (2022). Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/why-vaccination-is-important-and-the-safest-way-to-protect-yourself/

: NICHD. (2022). Why are immunizations important for my infant’s health? Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/infantcare/conditioninfo/immunization

: CDC. (2022). Deciding to Vaccinate Your Child: Common Concerns. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/why-vaccinate/vaccine-decision.html

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