502 McGrew Towers

Hampton, VA 23668
November 10, 2016
Betty Worthy
943 Osceola Street
Gastonia, NC 28054
Dear Ms. Worthy:
I am relaying this letter to you regarding the importance of children, especially those enrolled in schools,
being vaccinated. It is my intent to encourage the Department of Health Services and School Social Work
to persuade the parents of students to be sure to keep their childrens vaccines up-to-date. It is very
important that parents are educated and aware of the steps necessary to making sure their children are
protected from the many harmful and even deadly diseases and infections lingering in the atmosphere of
the schools they attend, whether public or private.
There are many parents who are anti-vaccination, reasons being due to fear of the side effects, or there
may even be religious or cultural factors. However, most of the time these parents are unaware of how
one simple vaccine can prevent a variety of different illnesses their child could potentially acquire when
they get older. Furthermore, if parents are having difficulty deciding whether or not to have their children
vaccinated, there are many resources online and at their local Planned Parenthood clinics that aid in the
decision-making process. These resources also provide a explanation of how vaccinations develop the
immune system, allowing it to recognize and fight off infection. Getting vaccinated does not only protect
their children, it prevents infection from spreading throughout schools to other children as well.
A few suggested ways of spreading the message of the importance of vaccination during childhood
include holding seminars at Parent-Teacher Association meetings, sending home pamphlets giving
information about vaccines, and sending out emails containing links to various resources regarding
vaccines. These simple gestures can be what prevents outbreaks of diseases in schoolhouses that a simple
vaccine could have cured. I believe that parents would very much appreciate their children being able to
go to a disease free school.
Schools are very unsanitary environments, leaving children prone to contract various diseases and
infections. However, if parents consider having their children vaccinated, many of those diseases and
infections can be avoided. This will not only ensure their childs good health, but also the classmates of
their children, whom they interact with daily. There are many simple steps the Department of Health
Services and Social Work can take to ensure that parents are aware of the importance of vaccination
during childhood. Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope this letter was truly inspiring and
informative.
Sincerely,
Anjala Brewton