Zachary Pascavage

Shelden

English 2

2/20/2019





Vaccines have been a stable in medicine for decades now. They help prevent tons of deadly diseases that once plagued the planet. But ever since they have been in place some people have feared the diseases, now, while not vaccinating can have HORRIBLE side effects, such as death. The “side effects” of vaccination are extremely mild and nothing to worry about



The most common side effect related to vaccines is that the mercury in it can lead to autism which can mentally damage your baby. There are multiple things wrong with this statement. The first being, after many, many tests, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have 100% disproven this theory. Autism is a GENETIC disorder, it is either had at birth or you will never have it, because you cannot change genetics as of right now with current science.



Even so, the most common side effect they have is that you might get a small cold for 24-48 hours after the vaccine. That is because your immune system is building up the white blood cells needed to fight the disease you we’re vaccinated against. The most common side effect I see listed as fearful is autism, which is just plain not true



Additionally, the side effects are super rare in comparison to getting the disease. With less people vaccinating “herd immunity” is becoming a thing of the past, and if you are around someone with that deadly disease it’s a 90% chance you get it, which could lead to long term disability or even most cases with vaccines we vaccinate for even death. However, getting the worst side effect from a vaccine (mild rashes) is a 1/2000000 chance, and has a 0% fatality rate. Polios is about 90%, and I'd much rather have a small common cold than have to possibly use and iron lung and be in a wheelchair for the rest of my walking life



            Another big factor is that fact that you are putting other people at a deadly risk by not vaccinating. Like I mentioned in my last paragraph, with most anti-vaxxers, they use the “herd-immunity” logic. Which basically means that if 99 people have the vaccine and 1 doesn’t, that 1 also will not get it because the other 99 people could pass it on to him. This is useful for people that have diseases that prevent them from getting the vaccines the the first place, but with the growing community of anti-vaxxers, this ratio is getting smaller and smaller, and it’s not having the same effect it used too.



              For my final point, I want to go back to the argument that mercury is causing side effects in vaccines. I want to point this out, take Sodium, and extremely dangerous flammable chemical, and Chloride, a deadly gas chemical, and combine them. What do you get? Salt. That same effects apply in vaccines as well. While yes, there is mercury in the vaccines, they have other ingredients that balance out and work with it to not give mercury poisoning like most people fear they do.



         In conclusion, the benefits outweigh the “risks” of vaccinating by way too much to risk it. Please don’t ruin the herd immunity for everyone else who needs it in order to survive. Vaccinate your kids.