Should parents be obliged to immunize their children against common childhood diseases? Or do individuals have a right to choose not to immunize their children?
----------------------------------------------------------
In my opinion immunization of children must be mandatory. Immunization is done for prevention of life-threatening diseases among children. Children are an asset of the nation and to have healthy children is a national issue and can’t be left on the mercy or choice of individuals.
“Prevention is better than cure” Immunization is for prevention and that is always better. With so much of advancement in medical science when preventive methods and facilities are available they must be fully availed. Delay in immunization or omitting a dose can also cause Polio to a child and lifelong the child is rendered immobile and helpless that would be most pathetic.
In early days childhood diseases were considered by parents as the anger of the God and destiny. For smallpox people used to visit temples and religious places. They used to meet religious people messiahs at temples, mosques etc and take charms for their children as a part of treatment of those sicknesses. This is one of the most orthodox and unscientific way of dealing with such dreadful diseases. Many a children in past have died of those diseases.
Polio, Smallpox is very common among children. Government periodically arranges mass immunization programs for various childhood diseases. These programs are communicated well in advance thru media and TV, to the masses. Team of doctor’s visit those particular places as per the scheduled program and immunize children. Those teams also travel to countryside villages and even most remote rural areas for immunization program. Everyone must avail this facility and get their children immunized against dreadful childhood diseases in their own interest and in the interest of the nation.
In conclusion immunization should never be a matter of choice, it must be mandatory in the larger interest of a nation.
(296 Words)
