This country was once full of plagues and short life expectancies, but when immunizations changed everything. Unfortunately, now some people view immunizations as a right rather than a requirement.
When we stop vaccinating, epidemics ensue. Take Japan in 1974. When pertussis was at all-time lows, the country stopped requiring vaccination and by 1979, an epidemic left 41 dead.
As a registered nurse, I am frightened as to where society is heading. Many decisions to not vaccinate are based on inaccurate research. This is doing a disservice to those who cannot be vaccinated and rely on herd immunity.
It is society’s job to ensure policy change so that immunization is more strictly enforced. An education program on vaccination should be required before someone is allowed to opt out. If we fail to make a change, old illnesses will wreak havoc once again.
Rebecca Seeger
Lawrenceville