Vaccination Concerns The history of vaccinations does not begin with the first vaccination itself, but rather with an infectious disease that greatly affected the human population. In 1796, Edward Jenner created a successful composition using smallpox material that created immunity against the continued growth of smallpox. Jenner's method underwent 200 years of medical and technological changes until it finally resulted in the complete elimination of smallpox. Vaccinations have been a controversial medical topic for many years, and while they have been shown to be an effective way to prevent serious outcomes, including deaths from childhood illnesses, controversy remains that side effects of vaccinations outweigh the risk of contracting the disease. According to the Philadelphia College of Physicians, they state that "innovative techniques are now driving vaccine research, with recombinant DNA technology and new delivery techniques leading scientists in new directions." Disease targets have expanded, and some vaccine research is beginning to focus on noninfectious conditions, such as addictions and allergies” (“The History of Vaccines,” College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Web. Jan. 10. 2014). While public health officials insist that vaccines are the best way to protect public health. Over the past thirty years, the vaccination schedule has tripled, and since then, the infant mortality rate has increased alarmingly in America. The problem is not the vaccination itself, but the quality of the vaccination. In 1960, America was ranked 12th in infant mortality rate among all other countries in the world and in 2005, we were ranked 30th. The United States is distributing more vaccines to infants...... middle of paper ...... Although these were initially designed to prevent infectious diseases, it has been found that there is also a prevention of autoimmune diseases, birth control and also cancer therapy. Although vaccines are an effective means of preventing disease and improving public health, this does not mean that they are all essential for healthy living; some do more damage if a sufficient immune system is not present. It is important to study and monitor how the vaccine is formulated and distributed to be certain that it is in your body's best interest to receive the vaccine. Vaccinations will remain present, but it is our choice as individuals to know what they are made of and how they are administered. Vaccinations should be valued and taken seriously, these technological advancements have happened at great speed, which means that flaws and errors will exist whether we notice them now or in the future..