Write an essay discussing communicable diseases and how several communicable diseases have been eradicated (i.e. smallpox, polio) due to the widespread usage of vaccinations by the general population (herd immunity).

Chapter 7 discusses communicable diseases and how several communicable diseases have been eradicated (i.e. smallpox, polio) due to the widespread usage of vaccinations by the general population (herd immunity). Other diseases and viruses do not have vaccines at this time, such as Ebola, HIV. The various COVID-19 vaccines that have become available were developed a year ago. Additionally, there has been more public debate on whether children should or should not be vaccinated.

Answer the following questions:

Should the government mandate childhood vaccinations?

Should adults also be mandated to obtain vaccines by governement or their employers?

Justify your answer using factual data either for or against (or somewhere in the middle) this mandate.

Consider the following supporting questions in your answer:

Do vaccines improve the overall public health?
What are the risks associated with vaccines and do those risks outweigh the benefits?
If vaccines are not required, will the public health be endangered?
What is more important individual rights or the collective good?
Do parents have the right to refuse vaccination for their children?
Would you vaccinate your child?
Should employers be allowed to require vaccines as a condition of employment in certain settings like healthcare or corrections?

Answer & Explanation
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Communicable diseases are infections that can spread from one person to another through various modes of transmission such as direct contact, droplets, airborne, or vector-borne. Communicable diseases are a major public health concern as they can cause widespread illness and death. However, the widespread usage of vaccinations has played a significant role in eradicating several communicable diseases. Smallpox and polio are two such examples that were eradicated due to vaccination.

Smallpox is a highly infectious disease that is caused by the variola virus. The disease has been responsible for numerous outbreaks throughout history, with the last major outbreak occurring in the 1970s. The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a global vaccination campaign in the 1960s, which led to the eradication of smallpox by 1980. The vaccination campaign focused on providing vaccinations to individuals in high-risk areas, as well as implementing strict surveillance and containment measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The widespre

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Step-by-step explanation
ad vaccination campaign eventually led to the elimination of smallpox, and it is now considered to be the first disease to have been eradicated through human efforts.

Similarly, polio is another communicable disease that has been eradicated due to vaccination efforts. Polio is a highly infectious disease caused by the poliovirus. The disease primarily affects children under the age of five and can cause paralysis and even death. The polio vaccine was first introduced in the 1950s, and since then, several vaccination campaigns have been carried out to eradicate the disease. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) was launched in 1988 with the goal of eradicating polio worldwide. The initiative has been successful in reducing the number of polio cases by over 99% since its inception. The success of the vaccination campaign has led to the eradication of polio in several countries, including the Americas, Europe, and the Western Pacific region.

The widespread usage of vaccinations has been instrumental in the eradication of these communicable diseases. Vaccines work by introducing a weakened or inactivated form of the disease-causing agent into the body, which stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies. These antibodies can then recognize and destroy the actual disease-causing agent if it enters the body. Vaccines not only protect the individual who receives the vaccine but also create herd immunity, which provides protection to those who cannot receive the vaccine, such as infants and individuals with compromised immune systems.

In conclusion, communicable diseases continue to pose a significant threat to public health, but vaccination efforts have played a significant role in eradicating several diseases such as smallpox and polio. The widespread usage of vaccines not only protects individuals but also creates herd immunity, which is essential in preventing the spread of communicable diseases. Vaccination campaigns must continue to be a top priority in public health efforts to eradicate other communicable diseases and prevent future outbreaks.

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