Immunizations and Its Importance to Society

Vaccinations play an important role in the lives of children and is one of the special keys of maintaining healthy lives.  It has been said that some vaccinations are not safe for children to get, but which is better, getting immunized or getting the sickness?  I would rather take the chance of experiencing a few side effects that will save me from a life long disease.  Just to enlighten others about what vaccinations do, read the following statements.  Vaccination is a way to trigger the body's immune response without becoming sick.  Vaccines trigger the body's immune responses to harmful viruses or bacteria so that the body can build up a resistance to that virus or bacteria. The vaccine contains weak or dead organisms that usually do not cause illness. The body is able to destroy the pathogen in the vaccine and produce memory cells. When the body develops immunity to a specific pathogen, immunization has occurred.  If someone's body is ever exposed to the same pathogen in the future, the memory cells react quickly without a trial-and-error period. This allows the body to destroy the pathogen efficiently before it can cause illness.  (http://www.pediatrics.com/)

The Immune System
The immune system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. Through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause disease.The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body.  Each child is born with a full immune system composed of cells, glands, organs, and fluids that are located throughout his or her body to fight invading bacteria and viruses.  Immunizing individual children helps to protect the health of our community, especially those people who are not immunized. People who are not immunized include those who are too young to be vaccinated, those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, and those who cannot make an adequate response to vaccination. Also protected, therefore, are people who received a vaccine, but who have not developed immunity. In addition, people who are sick will be less likely to be exposed to disease germs that can be passed around by unvaccinated children. Immunization also slows down or stops disease outbreaks.  Vaccination should not only be important to me, but to everyone.  In East Asia it is said that insects cause diseases such as Dengue, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, leishmaniasis, and plague. Tickborne encephalitis occurs in forested regions in northeastern China and in South Korea. Protecting yourself against insect bites will help to prevent these diseases.  Malaria, measles, and rabies are other diseases that are common in China.  Vaccinations that you may need for China include:

DTP: Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio. These are advised for most countries outside of Europe, the vaccination is valid for 10 years.
Hepatitis A: Choose from either short or long-term protection, long-term protection is possible for 10 years. Typhoid fever This vaccination is advised for any stay longer than 2 weeks in China, excluding Hong Kong. The vaccination is valid for 3 years.
Meningitis: Is advised for those spending a longer period of time in China and those in close contact with local inhabitants.
Rabies: This vaccination is advised when travelling to remote areas.
Bilharzia: As long as you don't swim in still-standing water, you won't have to worry about contracting this infection caused by worms.  (http://www.chinaonline.com.au/china-visa.htm)

Vaccinations are important because it protects our future.  We don't vaccinate just to protect our children. We also vaccinate to protect our grandchildren and their grandchildren.   Immunization is said to have had "a greater impact on human mortality reduction and population growth than any other public health intervention besides clean water" (Berger 2009) If we keep vaccinating now, parents in the future may be able to trust that diseases like polio and meningitis won't infect, cripple, or kill children. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases in my opinion.  What do you think? 
References:

Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

http://www.chinaonline.com.au/china-visa.htm

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/china.htm

http://www.vaccineinformation.org/benefits.asp