Annotated Bibliographies

1.      Jacobson, Robert M, M.D. (2011 November, 18^th). Choosing to Omit Recommended Vaccines Can Be a Missed Opportunity to Prevent Illness. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-edge-newspaper-2011/nov-18b.html

In this article, Jacobson is replying to a parent who is interested in learning more about vaccinating his or her child. He begins by explaining that vaccinations are recommended but not required for civilians, however schools have specific vaccination requirements which can vary from state to state. A committee called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices makes vaccination standards which many physicians follow when deciding which vaccinations to give children. The most important part of the article for my paper is when he begins speaking about some controversies on the safety of vaccinations. He explains that although there are some thoughts about the risks of vaccinations, the Centers for Disease Control Prevention believe that vaccinations are one of the top public health achievements. The benefits of vaccinations have allowed people to live longer and prevented many deadly diseases.

2.      Jernigan, Kristie J (2010, September 27^th) The Pros and Cons of Vaccinating Children. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/244854-the-pros-cons-of-vaccinating-children/

           This article begins by stating when the first vaccination was invented and explains that vaccinations have both pros and cons. First, she explains that one pro is by reducing mortality. One study shows that vaccines prevent about 33,000 deaths per year and another says that they have lowered the death rate of children all over the world. Another pro is that they prevent contagious diseases. A study showed that vaccines have prevented 10.5 million cases of infectious diseases because they speed up a child’s immune system or can shorten the length of an infection. Along with these pro’s, the article explains that one con can be the side effects which are usually mild or temporary. Some milder effects include a fever and soreness at the sight of injection or can include some more severe side effects such as disability or even death. This article helps me to create my argument by allowing me to compare the pros and the cons of vaccinations.