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Eeyeon Kim
Mr. Davis
Government Period 2
26 October 2015
Mandatory Vaccinations
Early vaccinations have decreased the occurrence of fatal childhood diseases in the
United States by more than 95 percent. Previously common diseases such as small pox and polio
have been virtually eradicated from the United States population. Despite the statistical
effectiveness of vaccinations, many are apprehensive about implementing mandatory vaccination
laws. Questions concerning the safety of vaccinations as well as their effectiveness have been
raised by the public. Many claim that the chemicals used in producing these vaccines could
possibly lead to detrimental side effects appearing. Others oppose mandatory vaccinations upon
religious grounds and state that laws mandating vaccines would be overriding their constitutional
rights. Though controversy exists, there is no denying that vaccinations are one of the most
effective defenses against childhood diseases. Vaccinations should be mandated by law because
vaccinated diseases still exist in foreign countries, herd immunity is economically more feasible
than treating diseases, and because medical organizations state that vaccines are safe.
Although vaccinations may have eradicated diseases such as polio, small pox and rubella
from the United States, they still exist in other parts of the world. Due to the fact that access to
vaccinations is not guaranteed for many individuals around the world, childhood diseases are still
a very present threat. UNICEF states that One out of five infants worldwide - nearly 20% of

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children - does not receive 3 life-saving doses of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccinia.
The unreached fifth child, missed by vaccination campaigns, is defenseless against these killer
diseases (UNICEF Immunization Facts). Despite efforts made by world health organizations
such as UNICEF, many children do not have the luxury of receiving childhood vaccinations.
Thus, even diseases that have been completely eradicated in certain countries are present in other
portions of the world. According to Howsons Adverse Effects of Pertussis and Rubella
Vaccines: A Report of the Committee to Review the Adverse Consequences of Pertussis and
Rubella Vaccines, even in the modern age, 195,000 children a year die from the whooping cough
and 118,000 die from measles worldwide (Howson 36). Even if diseases are eradicated from the
United States, it is crucial that the population remain vaccinated because the disease may exist in
other parts of the world. With the extent to which transportation is developing, it becomes easier
for viruses and bacteria to be transported from one country to another. If the United States
population is not vaccinated, diseases from foreign nations can easily enter and infect a large
portion of the population. The presence of deadly childhood diseases throughout the world
makes it vital that the United States uses vaccinations to defend the population against any
international transfers of viruses. Remaining vaccinated in order to avoid diseases from foreign
countries also ensures herd immunity; another key aspect of eliminating childhood diseases.
Herd immunity is the theory that states how a large group of vaccinated individuals can
protect a smaller group of vulnerable individuals. In certain situations, it is not ideal for certain
individuals to be vaccinated. Infants, pregnant women or immunocompromised individuals are
some examples of such members of a community. Thus, they depend on the individuals around
them to be vaccinated and receive a certain level of protection. Depending on herd immunity is

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far cheaper in the long run than attempting to treat individuals who have contracted the disease.
As stated in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, Since achieving herd immunity is an
inherently preventive measure, mandating school vaccinations as a method of perpetuating herd
immunity is far less costly for governments, health care providers, and the economy than treating
victims of a disease after it has appeared in a community (Mandatory School Vaccinations).
Herd immunity plays a key part in protecting the population as a whole which in turn leads to the
decline in the number of outbreaks. Economically, there are benefits to mandating vaccinations
and developing herd immunity. A study by the CDC states that Some vaccine-preventable
diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at
work, medical bills or long-term disability care (Five Important Reasons). Vaccines cost
relatively less than the treatments and medications needed for those who have the disease. Funds
that would have been used to treat patients of serious childhood diseases would be reduced if
these patients did not contract the diseases at all. Thus, the expenses saved by developing herd
immunity to protect those who cannot be vaccinated could be used for other purposes such as
providing an over encompassing health care system for all American residents.
A common fear about mandatory vaccinations is that they result in adverse health
effects. It is widely believed that the chemicals used to produce there vaccinations can lead to
side effects that are just as detrimental as the disease itself. However, various governmental
organizations state that vaccines are safe for widespread use. The FDA for example supports
the argument that Formaldehyde has a long history of safe use in the manufacture of certain
viral and bacterial vaccines. It is used to inactivate viruses so that they dont cause disease (e.g.,
polio virus used to make polio vaccine) and to detoxify bacterial toxins, such as the toxin used
to make diphtheria vaccine. Formaldehyde is diluted during the vaccine manufacturing process,

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but residual quantities of formaldehyde may be found in some current vaccines. The amount of
formaldehyde present in some vaccines is so small compared to the concentration that occurs
naturally in the body that it does not pose a safety concern (Common Ingredients In). The
amounts of chemicals that are found in vaccines are not potent enough to harm humans.
Instead, they are present to ensure that the vaccine functions properly when given to humans.
The CDC also supports vaccines and very specific directions are given as to the specific cases
in which vaccinations should not be used by certain individuals. According to vaccines.gov,
Federal law requires that Vaccine Information Statements explaining vaccine benefits and
risks be provided when certain vaccinations are administered (before each dose) (Safety).
Informing individuals about the possible side effects and incompatibilities of specific
vaccinations creates a safe and accessible process of immunization. Individuals who cannot
receive vaccinations will not be mandated by the law to do so and can rely on herd immunity to
protect them.
One widely used counterargument to the mandating of vaccinations is that the diseases
vaccinations target have virtually disappeared and thus, vaccinations are not needed. Though this
may be the case in certain countries, there is always the possibility of the disease coming from
countries that are not completely immunized. According to Stratton in Adverse Effects of
Vaccines: Evidence and Causality, A 2008 measles outbreak in San Diego forced 48 children to
be quarantined because they could not rely on herd immunity to protect them from the disease
(Stratton 324). If the government were to stop vaccinating individuals simply because a disease
was eradicated, the people would be vulnerable if the disease could be transferred over from
another country, exposing the population to a large risk of infection. Continued vaccination is an
absolute defense against any lingering threats. Another counterargument is that vaccines contain

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dangerous ingredients. Some physicians claim that mercury found in vaccinations can be linked
to autism in children. Aluminum is also found within some vaccines and can be dangerous to
humans in large quantities. However, the FDA states that the amount of these substances present
in vaccines is not significant enough to cause severe bodily damage. Aluminum adjuvant
containing vaccines have a demonstrated safety profile of over six decades of use and have only
uncommonly been associated with severe local reactions. Of note, the most common source of
exposure to aluminum is from eating food or drinking water (Vaccine Adjuvant). The FDAs
approval of these ingredients shows that extensive research and tests have been conducted in
order to insure that vaccines are safe for those receiving them. Harmful amounts of these
chemicals are more common in the food and water that people eat and drink. Thus, the amounts
present in vaccines are not enough to lead to serious health concerns. Though there may be
counterarguments to mandating vaccinations it is important to realize that certain diseases are
still present around the world even if they are no longer widespread and that the ingredients
found in vaccines are safe for humans.
Mandating vaccinations throughout the United States is a necessary course of action
because the disease that vaccines target still exist worldwide, herd immunity is economically
more feasible than treating diseases and because medical organizations support the
administration of vaccines. The mandating of vaccines brings to attention the larger issue of
government funding for health care. The governments role in providing medical support for its
citizens is one that must be defined if the administration of vaccines were to be mandated.
Government funding of health care should be increased so that a greater portion of the
population can access basic medical benefits such as vaccinations.

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Works Cited
1. Ciolli, Anthony. "Mandatory School Vaccinations: The Role of Tort Law."The Yale
Journal of Biology and Medicine. Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, Web. 19 Oct.
2015.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2553651/
2. Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
http://www.cdc.gov/media/matte/2011/04_childvaccination.pdf
3. Howson, Christopher Paul., Cynthia J. Howe, and Harvey V. Fineberg. Adverse Effects of
Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines: A Report of the Committee to Review the Adverse
Consequences of Pertussis and Rubella Vaccines. Washington, D.C.: National Academy,
1991. Print.
4. S. IMMUNIZATION FACTS AND FIGURES April 2013 Web. 19 Oct. 2015
http://www.unicef.org/immunization/files/UNICEF_Key_facts_and_figures_on_Immuniz
ation_April_2013(1).pdf
5. Stratton, Kathleen R. Adverse Effects of Vaccines: Evidence and Causality. Washington,
D.C.: National Academies, 2012. Print.
6. "U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Common Ingredients in U.S. Licensed Vaccines.
Web. 26 Oct. 2015.
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/ucm18781
0.htm
7. "Vaccine Adjuvants." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 28 Aug. 2015. Web. 17 Sept. 2015.
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/adjuvants.html
8. Vaccine Safety Web. 17. Sept. 2015
http://www.vaccines.gov/basics/safe