Activity
Read the sample below and answer the questions that follow. Write in ½ crosswise
to be submitted in the next face to face classes.
The Benefits and Risks of Flu Vaccinations
By Madelein O. Villegas and Kimberly T. Yu
Flu vaccinations are vital in preventing flu viruses from spreading and in-
fecting people. It has been associated with reducing the risk of flu-related hos-
pitalizations in all kinds of people. They help in protecting women during and after
pregnancy when their risk for illnesses is heightened. A CDC study also shows that
vaccinations against the flu significantly reduce a child's risk of dy- ing from
diseases caused by the influenza viruses. The data from four flu seasons between
2010 and 2014 found it has reduced flu-related deaths by nearly half among
children with medical conditions, it also made illnesses milder for those infected
with flu ("What are the benefits of flu vaccination?", 2017).
One study shows that the flu vaccine is associated with a seventy-one
percent decrease in flu-related hospitalizations among adults of all ages and a
seventy-seven percent decrease among adults at least fifty years of age during the
2011-2012 flu season (Talbot, Zhu, Chen, Williams, Thompson & Griffin, 2013).
One of the main concerns of individuals who get vaccinated is increasing the
risk of contracting an illness. To counter this perception, a study was con- ducted to
determine the association between the prevention of cardiovascular events with flu
vaccinations. A placebo administered to people with a high risk of cardiovascular
diseases shows that flu vaccinations reduce major adverse cardio- vascular events
within a year (Udell, Zawi, Bhatt, Keshtkar-Jahromi, Gaughran, Phrommintikul, et al.,
2013). Results from a study published in the Journal of the American Medical
Association also corroborate the study by Udell, et al. that getting a flu vaccine
reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, other major cardiac events, or
death by around a third of the percentage since the body produces an impressive
bodily response to the antigens from the flu virus. Without a flu vaccine on a person
with a heart condition, an inflammation develops. This inflammation can lead to
clogging up of the blood vessels, which can lead to a possible heart attack or stroke
(Corliss, 2013). Multiple studies also present that vaccination against influenza can
reduce the risk of intermittent myocardial infarction (MI), major cardiac events, the
need for revascularization, stroke, and death (Tseng, Slezak, Quinn, Sy, Van Den
Eeden, Jacobsen, 2010).
The Center for Diseases and Control's Immunization Safety Office moni- tors
the safety of various vaccinations through high-quality research, determin- ing the
adverf certain reactions and their causes, and distinguishing the flu vaccine's
adverse side effects through public health supervision.
As pointed out by Rebecca Harrington (2015), "the true benefit of the
influenza vaccines are in decreasing the morbidity and mortality of populations. The
benefit for populations is derived from administering flu vaccination to individuals.
Getting the flu vaccine is a form of altruism on the part of those receiving the
vaccine, as they may be getting vaccinated more for the benefit of others than for
themselves." Since the flu is a highly contagious illness, a sin- gle individual could
infect several more, leading to its uncontrolled spread, and causing an epidemic
outbreak.
Vaccines are also cost-efficient. When a person acquires sickness from the flu,
a vaccine-preventable disease, then, treatment is needed, which is sup- posed to be
unnecessary if the the individual had a flu vac- cine shot in the first place. If an
individual acquires a serious complication from the flu, he/she may need to be
hospital- ized. This is an inconvenience on both the individual's time and money. Not
to mention, the flu may bring long-term complications and possible death, which is
more tragic. The results of a study in the Journal of Pediatrics, which exam- ines the
total cost associated with the treatment for vaccine- preventable diseases are
staggering. In 2009, an estimated amount of $1.8 billion has been saved due to
vaccinations (Naprawa, 2015).
Guide Questions and answer in complete sentences:
1. What is the issue presented in the paragraph?
2. What are the main claims presented in the paragraphs?
3. What evidence are used to support these claims?