Vaccination: Fact vs.

Opinion
By: Abbie Hockstad
This is probably the hardest thing Ive had to write in a long time. Over the last few days
and even hours, Ive sat here staring at this blank page and thinking how am I going to write this,
what am I going to say. I didnt feel it. It just wasnt there for me until it came to me as fact vs.
opinion. Facts are pieces of information used as evidence in a case and opinions are views or
judgements formed that arent based on fact or knowledge.
Fact: In a mild influenza season, approximately 19 million influenza cases could be
prevented by vaccinating 70% of children. [1]
Opinion: The evidence for the protection of the community against influenza by
vaccinating children is limited. [2]
Whats the difference? The difference is that there is statistical data to show that if
children were vaccinated, then so many influenza cases could be prevented. With that being said,
there is evidence that children play a major role in the transmission of influenza to vulnerable
persons. [2]
Fact: They eradicated smallpox and almost eradicated other diseases.
Opinion: Diseases that they target have essentially disappeared.
The difference here is that eradicating smallpox was one of the biggest steps in the
advancement of medicine. That eradication was what started this era of being vaccinated and
having vaccinations available. With that being said, the diseases that arent eradicated yet, are
still in need of vaccinations to help prevent outbreak.
Fact: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that 732,000 American children
were saved from death and 322 million cases of childhood illnesses were prevented between
1994 and 2014 due to vaccination. [3]
Opinion: Natural immunity is more effective.
The difference here is a little obvious due to the statistical evidence shown by the CDC.
Two decades of proven cases of prevention means that they protect our future generations by
limiting disease outbreak.
Vaccines are needed to help prevent serious illnesses and even death. They are something
that has changed medicine for the greater good and can help more than do damage. By
vaccinating, youre not only protecting yourself, youre protecting everyone around you.

Sources
1. Basta, N., L. Dennis, Chao, M., Halloran, E., Matrajt, L., Longini Jr, I. (2009, August 1).
Strategies for Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Vaccination of Schoolchildren in the
United States. American Journal of Epidemiology. March 20, 2015, Web.
http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2009/08/13/aje.kwp237.short
2. Olowokure B. (2004). Indirect community protection against influenza by vaccinating
children: a review of two recent studies from Italy and the United States. Euro Surveill.
March 20, 2015,Web.
http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=2605
3. Bahar Gholipour, "Vaccination Has Saved 732,000 Children's Lives Since 1994, Says
Report," www.huffingtonpost.com, Apr. 25, 2014.