Immunizations are small doses of viral antigens used to introduce the immune system to a potentially harmful microbe in order for the body to form defenses against the diseases, protecting the body if it is introduced to the pathogen in nature it will be able to fight off illness. These shots are widely accepted in the United States as a common practice amongst doctors preforming modern medical practices. The number of children receiving vaccinations today is the highest it has ever been with approximately 74% of all two year olds on schedule for their immunizations as suggested by the Center for Disease Control (Kohrt). Immunizations are scientifically proven to prevent and protect children against disease, while others acknowledge this …show more content…
If a contagious disease is contracted by one child in a school, but the majority of adolescents in contact with the microbes, are vaccinated against the antigens it is possible to prevent an outbreak of particular illnesses within a community. There are many reasons why the administration of immunizations has become a prevalent practice in the United States. In all fifty states children who attend public schools are required to receive a number of vaccinations even though there are no federal laws in which mandate the administration. A reason that children are required to receive specific immunizations is, simply, to save their lives and to prevent diseases. The American Academy of Pediatrics states, “most childhood vaccines are 90-99% effective in preventing disease” (Kohrt). Vaccines save the lives of millions of adolescents every year. Not only do these immunization shots prevent and save the child in which received the vaccination, but they also protect a baby in the womb of mothers who received recommended shots (Codina Leik 104). This protects the child even before their bodies are able to identify and build immune responses to protect themselves. By protecting the child in the womb it allows for the reduction of chance that the child would be born with birth defects caused as a result of a virus (A Clinical Handbook in Adolescent Medicine: A Guide for Health Professionals Who Work with Adolescents and Young Adults pg. 430). When the child is born they are immediately introduced to an environment in which puts them at risk for disease. Administering vaccinations at birth initiates a process in the child’s body of recognizing and killing harmful microbes, so that the third line defenses are able to produce long-lasting antibodies for future protection. Although the body would do this process without