The Effects of the Increasing Immunization Schedule on Children in the United States and Its Influence on the Anti-Vaccination Movement

Best Our Husky Compact Reflection for "Integrate Existing and Evolving Technologies".

Abstract

In recent decades, the immunization schedule required for children in the United States has increased significantly because new vaccinations are being formulated. In this research paper I will investigate and explore the possible effects of this increase. My analysis will also focus on the emerging trends of blame that fall to the vaccinations administered to children; these criticisms lead to patterns of noncompliance to mandated immunization schedules. Medicine is constantly changing, this holds true for vaccinations. Currently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the administration of more than ten immunizations, some of multiple doses, from birth to fifteen months of age. This is a significant increase since when the first mandated vaccines were administered. The effects of this increase are ambiguous and the vagueness has led to boycotts of vaccinations and suspicions of extreme side effects. For example, the MMR vaccine is being blamed for autism diagnoses across the country. The amount of modified strains of disease-causing pathogens being injected into infants and children is growing and it seems unknown if substantial research has been done to determine if this amount is safe and whether or not the human body can handle it. This paper serves to examine the power of the human body in terms of the capabilities and capacity of the immune system in fighting pathogens and the memory B cells by observing the side effects after vaccination and whether or not they can be attributed to the immunization schedule. This research project challenges the accusations against the MMR vaccine and others to be causing diseases and disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder, but also considers the potential adversity caused by such a fast-growing immunization schedule, and accepts the reality that the human body has limitations which may be tested with the current vaccination requirements.