Abstract
Vaccines are biological substances that offer an active or passive acquired immunity to specific
illnesses. Typically, vaccines consist of a killed or attenuated disease-causing microorganism.
Vaccinating people is an effective way of preventing diseases. The effectiveness of vaccines, for
example, saw the eradication of smallpox. Besides, vaccines have reduced the prevalence of
diseases such as measles and mumps. Vaccines achieve this by helping the immune system to
recognize and fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Based on the different strategies that
are used to create vaccines, several types of vaccines exist. These include combination, toxoid,
attenuated and conjugate vaccines. Combination vaccines have more than one vaccination put
into a single shot. Combination vaccines not only reduce the number of shots needed but also
they are cheaper compared to giving the vaccines individually. Despite the reduced burden of
diseases seen with the use of vaccines, there exist people who refuse to vaccinate their children
due to religious or personal reasons. Additionally, some people link childhood vaccinations with
autism. This paper has analyzed existing studies that demonstrate the personal as well as public
benefits of childhood immunization. In addition, this paper has examined the benefits of
combination vaccines. Further, this paper has analyzed literature that refutes claims linking
vaccinations with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
Keywords: vaccines, immunization, mandatory vaccination, combination vaccines,
autism
Conclusion
In conclusion, vaccines are one of the greatest scientific innovations. They are essential
in the prevention of diseases not only to an individual but also to the public at large. Vaccines
help protect the individual from preventable diseases besides preventing pandemics, and as such,
they lower mortality rates. Though there have been studies in the past that linked vaccines with
autism, these studies have been disputed by recent studies. The use of combination vaccines
instead of individual vaccines is advantageous because it is cheaper in addition to removing the
need for having multiple shots. Given that vaccines are safe and can be made less expensive by
combining them, they should be made mandatory. However, the perpetuation of anti-vaccine
campaigns impedes the steps made towards achieving mandatory vaccination. Historically, the
misinformation surrounding vaccines has created a negative attitude towards vaccination. As an
illustration, some studies in the past had linked immunization with autism and consequently, this
belief was accepted, and despite its inaccuracy, many people did not vaccinate their children.
These campaigns, however, may be reduced by offering accurate information that can alter the
myths and misconceptions regarding vaccines. Nonetheless, making vaccination mandatory will
help protect all children from preventable diseases.