Measles is a disease which, until recently, was considered totally extinct as of the year 2000. But recent waves of measles outbreaks has changed that. In 2019, measles has experienced a resurgence of impressive proportions, with more than 700 cases being reported in 22 states, and growing. This is the highest national presence of measles in 25 years. The culprit for this resurgence is no mystery: in recent years, anti-vaccination sentiment has become increasingly prominent among parents, causing tens thousands of the new generation to avoid inoculation. The sheer quantity of unvaccinated children has permitted measles to propagate to its previous levels, causing a nationwide epidemic. States have historically required inoculation as a condition for matriculation, but recently, vaccination laws and their respective enforcing parties have become embarrassingly lackadaisical. The new measles epidemic will cause the states and federal government millions of dollars to contain, a heavy price to pay for "more freedom." Few states have reformed their inoculation laws. Currently, the federal government has not established any national codes with respect to vaccination, opting for a controversial federalist attitude towards the problem.
Discussion questions:
- Should states tighten up their vaccination requirements/enforcement?
- Should the US government develop laws to make vaccination mandatory at the Federal level?
- What might be the sociopolitical implications/repercussions of enforcing inoculation
I believe that the US government should develop laws to make vaccinations mandatory, since the current situation has already cost millions of dollars, and will continue to require more funding and government action. Although I respect that parents currently have the right can choose what vaccinations their children receive, the measles crisis has gotten too out of hand, when the problem could have been avoided to begin with. Because the disease has gotten to such a serious level, I think that the government should enforce vaccinations in order to avoid having to put its effort towards containing the disease.
ReplyDeleteIf vaccination can protect from the spread of measles then it should be required for all humans. If vaccinations really have such important impact power then enforcement of vaccinations should be like enforcement of birth certificates. Not only should it be made mandatory at the local, state, and federal level but it should also be amended to the United States constitution. If the vaccinations are really able to protect against measles then due to enforcement over time the measles epidemic will dwindle in numbers and eventually all the anti-vaccination groups will have to face the facts. If the vaccinations proves to not be effective however then the anti-vaccination groups will undoubtedly be empowered by such a failure on the opposing side.
ReplyDeleteAlthough an individual does have the right to decide what goes into their own body, vaccinations complicate the issue. As seen in the article above, the lack of strict vaccination laws have led to the resurgence of an illness thought to have been extinct for 19 years. Some believe that vaccinations can lead to mental or developmental disorders, however, that claim is largely unfounded. Also, by not vaccinating oneself, the person puts those at risk around them, as they can potentially spread it around them.
ReplyDeleteIt is simply illogical to not make vaccinations mandatory for all people in the United States who can get them. Having people not be vaccinated puts people who are vaccinated and people who cannot get vaccinations due to medical issues at risk of contracting illnesses that have been gone for years. Unvaccinated people put other people at danger and we should treat this issue as such.
ReplyDeleteVaccines are necessary for the safety and well being of the children and those around them. As measles has made a comeback due to those who are not vaccinated, the government must step in to make sure that the children are vaccinated, else they would not be allowed to attend public places.
ReplyDeleteThe federal government, rather than just the states, should tighten their vaccination enforcement. For instance, New York has basically required quarantine by banning the unvaccinated from public areas. Moreover, tighter provisions should be put in place because herd immunity is becoming less and less effective almost to the point where it is nonexistent. Thus, the government should develop laws that make vaccinations mandatory, and although this is at such a large level, it could be implemented by the states which could be based on the states view of how effective forced vaccinations could be. Thus, states could force middle schools to implement one day/school year to give every student a vaccination. Nevertheless, this could still lead to revolts by parents and religious figures as they believe such radical things like "vaccines cause autism". Thus, these parents would revolt against the government's rulings leading to them winning but eventually dying because of diseases like measles.
ReplyDeleteStates should tighten up vaccination requirements in order to prevent disease outbreaks. They should also be mandated at the federal level because there is substantial evidence for vaccination and against anti-vaccination. Anti-vaccination interest groups will attempt to retaliate and lobby against a mandate for inoculation.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very important for states to make sure that people are vaccinated for deadly and easily spreadable diseases. The bigger portion of people should not have to potentially deal with a disease outbreak just because a few people did not want to get vaccinated. There should just be a certain baseline at which certain vaccines must be given if the person wants to be able to walk around freely in the environment without putting others around them in danger.
ReplyDeleteWhile entirely limiting the freedom of choice to decide not to receive a vaccination can understandably seem unjust, I do believe that preventative measures to some extent heavily out way the costs when it comes to containing a disease as harmful as measles. In fact, state governments have notably been reacting to the outbreak by recently tightening the requirement of vaccinations for enrollment in public schools. I think this is a fair step to take because it still respects the sociocultural view of opting out of vaccinations by keeping the alternative option of enrolling children in online or homeschool education systems without vaccines, while containing the disease from the general public as best as possible. In regards to making more drastic advancements in the future, I think a necessary course of action is an increase of education on the effects of vaccines as well as the harmful risks of opting out, in order for families to make a more informed decision with all the information present.
ReplyDelete