Science as a Human Endeavour Issue Investigation Immunisation

and Vaccination Research

Is letting the body develop its own immunity safer than relying on vaccinations?

Background Information
The act of immunization occurs when a dead or weakened version of a pathogen that causes a
particular disease, is introduced to the body. This stimulates the memory cells of the third line of
defence of the immune system to remember this pathogen for the next time it tries attacking the
body, by reacting faster, before causing fatal harm. One might wonder, how might immunisation
occur? 1Vaccinations were first invented, by English Country Doctor, Edward Jenner, in 1796, as the Commented [FH1]: Footnotes tend to be at the end of a
cow pox virus spread. After observing that milk maids were most susceptible to contracting the virus statement. Think that was the question you were asking on
the email so hopefully I have answered your question
yet remained unaffected, Jenner immunised James Phipps, a 13-year-old-boy, by scratching fluid
from a cowpox blister into his skin. After feeling unwell but recovering, Jenner repeated this and
found that Phipps remained unaffected, therefore immune to the virus. 2Today, vaccinations occur
through hypodermic needles, consisting of a syringe, plunger, thin stainless steel tube, a sharp tip
and an opening, invented by Alexander Wood in 1853 that injects the weakened/dead pathogen into
the bloodstream. However, groups of individuals question whether or not allowing the body to
independently develop a stronger immunity is safer than receiving vaccinations. This investigation
will be exploring different perspectives and statistics regarding this query. Commented [FH2]: Great start to the article- to the point
and succinct. Perhaps just a tad too much detail for Jenners
Different Perspectives experiment and would be the part to cut if you have more
points for the main body
3
People who believe in leading natural lifestyles might avoid vaccinations, due to containing Commented [FH3]: I think you meant: due to the
chemicals, heavy metals and contaminants, such as thimerosal, formaldehyde, chicken embryo, and suspicion/belief that vaccinations contain.
aluminium. Sarah is a bestselling author, and a mother of three who avoids and strongly discourages Commented [FH4]: Would be good to include her last
others from vaccinations, refraining from vaccinating her children. Can you imagine injecting this name here
cocktail of poison directly into your childs tissues? . But, to inject them deep into the bodys tissues
where the toxins are absorbed directly into the blood is the most damaging and lethal approach
imaginable, Sarah argues, in her article containing six reasons to avoid vaccinations. 4 Thimerosal is
an ethyl mercury containing preservative, which prevents the growth of bacteria in vaccination vials.
It is believed that thimerosal is a cause of autism, however, after many studies, it has been
confirmed that it is not linked with autism. 5Once injected, the body quickly eliminates it from the
system. Side effects may include redness and swelling at the injection site. 4Formaldehyde is a
carcinogenic preservative, added to vaccine vials in small quantities, and diluted to prevent patients
from falling sick. There has been no evidence that formaldehyde causes harm when vaccinated,
however, in excessive amounts, it can lead to certain cancers. 6Aluminium is an adjuvant, enhancing

1
Author Unknown. "Jenner Tests Smallpox Vaccine." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 08 June 2017.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jenner-tests-smallpox-vaccine>.
2
Snelling, Nick. "The History of the Hypodermic Needle." Live Better. Medibank, 14 July 2014. Web. 08 June 2017.
<https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/the-history-of-the-hypodermic-needle/>.
3
Sarah. "Six Reasons to Say NO to Vaccination." The Healthy Home Economist. Publisher Unknown, 05 June 2017. Web. 15 June 2017.
<http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/six-reasons-to-say-no-to-vaccination/>.
4
"What Goes Into a Vaccine?" PublicHealth.org. N.p., 27 May 2016. Web. 16 June 2017. <http://www.publichealth.org/public-
awareness/understanding-vaccines/goes-vaccine/>.
5
"Vaccine Safety." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28 Aug. 2015. Web. 16 June
2017. <https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/faqs.html>.
6
Gineta, Emma. "Aluminium in Vaccines: What You Need to Know." MTHFR Support Australia. N.p., 12 Jan. 2017. Web. 17 June 2017.
<https://www.mthfrsupport.com.au/aluminium-in-vaccines-what-you-need-to-know/>.
the immune system, therefore, requiring less doses. Persons who introduce excessive quantities of
aluminium to their body can accumulate in the bones, brains, kidneys and lungs, however, vaccines Commented [FH5]: Might want to rephrase this part
do not contribute to this. Chicken embryo is where influenza vaccines are harvested. Patients feel just a grammatical issue
uneasy due to the arising number of children suffering from egg allergies. 7The chicken embryo
containing the virus is placed in an incubator for the virus to multiply and then killed, for use. The Commented [FH6]: This part on the chicken embryo
above additives are all contributing factors of reasons why some individuals avoid vaccines. Clearly might need some resequencing to make your point flow
better
this group of naturalists have reached a conclusion that allowing the body to develop its own
immunity is safest. Commented [FH7]: I can see this paragraph is FOR
that using natural ways is safer
8
Persons who choose to take vaccines, do so because not only do they prevent diseases, but
vaccines have even eradicated disease smallpox pandemic in 1980. 9Hannah Macauley-Giehart,
who is a mother, teacher, writer, editor and fictional reader, describes her opinion on vaccines. I
guarantee I would give anything to keep my kids safe and well, and vaccinating them is a way I can
protect them. 10People who choose to vaccinate not only achieve immunity for themselves, but
they would be preventing loved ones from falling sick as well, due to not coming in contact with
someone affected by the disease. When travelling to foreign countries, where there are various
diseases, taking a vaccine in advance will not stop you from travelling, and will prevent you from Commented [FH8]: Do you mean taking a vaccine in
getting sick on vacation. The majority of the world vaccinate themselves and their children, and are advance will prevent disruptions to travelling? Or
something along that line?
evidently for vaccinations, not fully supporting the notion of developing ones immunity alone.
Commented [FH9]: as opposed to supporting the notion
Fortunately, individuals have a choice when choosing whether or not to vaccinate and patients are of
always notified of possible ingredients that could stimulate allergic reactions by nurses. 11People Commented [FH10]: This paragraph is AGAINST that is,
allergic to egg or dont want to allow unnatural additives into their bodies, yet would rather take the vaccinations is a better choice or potentially safer
influenza vaccine also have the option of taking a vaccine, known as Flublok. Flublok is made with
modern technology and does not contain certain additives. Because there isnt evidence of incidents Commented [FH11]: Any suggestions that in the future
caused by vaccines no measures have been taken to replace these harmful materials with safer vaccines might be made safer through such methods?
materials that work just as well. Commented [FH12]: Perhaps to link the two points, you
can start the statement off by saying Despite the existence
Conclusion of new inventions such as Flublok, little or no other
measures have been taken to replace harmful ingredients
due to a lack of evidence..
Individuals who choose to avoid vaccinations, are doing so due to the belief that it contains additives
This is just an example of how you can phrase it. At the
harmful to the body. Yet despite this, there is no proven scientific evidence that these additives moment the two points (Flublok and replacement of
cause harm in ones body. In fact, vaccinations have caused more benefit than harm, preventing harmful materials ) sound like separate unrelated points
disease and in the past, caused an eradication. In conclusion to the question Is letting the body
develop its own immunity safer than relying on vaccinations? the answer is that we as humans are Commented [FH13]: This is a personal opinion based on
better off relying on vaccinations than letting the body develop its own immunity. what you have researched and so you have to express with
I believe or in my opinion etc.
Commented [FH14]: I realised you havent said much
about issues regarding the natural development of
immunity such as any concerns about the probability of
dying from severe illnesses or any other views about
strengthening ones immunity by natural exposure.

7
"How Influenza (Flu) Vaccines Are Made." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 07
Nov. 2016. Web. 17 June 2017. <https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/how-fluvaccine-made.htm>.
8
"Disease Eradication." History of Vaccines. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2017. <https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/disease-
eradication>.
9
Giehart, Hannah Macauley. "One Mother Shares 'Why I Vaccinate'." Mum Central. N.p., 21 May 2017. Web. 17 June 2017.
<http://mumcentral.com.au/why-i-vaccinate/>.
10
"10 Reasons To Get Vaccinated." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 09 Jan. 2017.
Web. 17 June 2017. <https://www.cdc.gov/features/adultvaccinations/index.html>.
11
"Why Flublok." Flublok. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2017. <http://www.flublok.com/about-flublok/why-flublok/>.
Bibliography: Commented [FH15]: Bibliography looking good thank
you for putting in the effort to make sure that each entry
- Author Unknown. "Jenner Tests Smallpox Vaccine." History.com. A&E Television Networks, follows a particular citation format.
n.d. Web. 08 June 2017. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jenner-tests-
smallpox-vaccine>.
- Author Unknown. "Hypodermic Needle." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 01 May 2017.
Web. 08 June 2017.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypodermic_needle#19th_century_development>.
- Snelling, Nick. "The History of the Hypodermic Needle." Live Better. Medibank, 14 July 2014.
Web. 08 June 2017. <https://www.medibank.com.au/livebetter/the-history-of-the-
hypodermic-needle/>.
- Sarah. "Six Reasons to Say NO to Vaccination." The Healthy Home Economist. Publisher
Unknown, 05 June 2017. Web. 15 June 2017.
<http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/six-reasons-to-say-no-to-vaccination/>.
- "What Goes Into a Vaccine?" PublicHealth.org. N.p., 27 May 2016. Web. 16 June 2017.
<http://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/goes-vaccine/>.
- "Vaccine Safety." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, 28 Aug. 2015. Web. 16 June 2017.
<https://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/concerns/thimerosal/faqs.html>.
- Gineta, Emma. "Aluminium in Vaccines: What You Need to Know." MTHFR Support Australia.
N.p., 12 Jan. 2017. Web. 17 June 2017. <https://www.mthfrsupport.com.au/aluminium-in-
vaccines-what-you-need-to-know/>.
- "Disease Eradication." History of Vaccines. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2017.
<https://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/disease-eradication>.
- "How Influenza (Flu) Vaccines Are Made." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 07 Nov. 2016. Web. 17 June 2017.
<https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/how-fluvaccine-made.htm>.
- "10 Reasons To Get Vaccinated." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 09 Jan. 2017. Web. 17 June 2017.
<https://www.cdc.gov/features/adultvaccinations/index.html>.
- "Why Flublok." Flublok. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 June 2017. <http://www.flublok.com/about-
flublok/why-flublok/>.