America treats disease as a war. Disease is the enemy, vaccinations are the weapons, and the unfortunate cost is that some innocent civilians may lose their lives. A vaccine is a substance used to provide immunity against a disease. In some cases, vaccines have done more harm than good. Ignoring this fact, vaccines are mandatory in all states, and some states are trying to take away parents' right to refuse them. The disadvantages, illnesses and disabilities caused by vaccines justify the right of parents to waive the risk of vaccination. The scale of vaccine side effects is paralyzing. Each year, more than 20,000 reports of vaccine adverse reactions are filed with the U.S. government (Merino 17). 13% are classified as serious, including death, permanent disability or life-threatening illness (“ProCon Vaccines”). Given that almost all Americans are vaccinated, these numbers seem less significant. However, it is estimated that less than ten percent of adverse reactions are reported (“National Vaccine…”). This means that more than 200,000 people in America are likely to be negatively affected by vaccines each year. These negative reactions can range from minor to life-threatening or even fatal. One of the most common vaccines is chickenpox. Some of the many known reactions that may occur with this vaccine include: fever, allergic reactions, deafness, seizures, paralysis, death, learning disabilities, epilepsy, mental retardation, and behavioral disorders ( Neustaedtr 37). Another common and required vaccine is for measles, mumps and rubella; also known as the MMR vaccine. The list of side effects of this vaccine includes: encephalitis, meningitis, autism, subacute panencephalic sclerosin... middle of paper ...... today there will be no limits to freedoms individuals that the State can suppress in the name of the common good of tomorrow” (“National Vaccine…”). Although this is an extremist point of view, it contains a simple truth: America is a free country, which should guarantee parents the freedom to choose not to get vaccinated. Vaccines have many disadvantages, which justify the right of parents to choose if they wish. take the risk of vaccinating your child or not. It is the head of a family, not the head of a nation, who should make this choice. The illnesses and disabilities caused by vaccines are too important to ignore. More robust, long-term research should be done before it is deemed safe and mandatory. The innocent civilians who have lost their lives in this war against disease are the main reason why the weapons of choice, vaccines, should be re-evaluated..