Good Longhorn News

HHS staff and students have many mixed opinions about vaccines. While vaccinations teach the immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens, some people question the safety, efficacy, mandatory requirements, and personal freedom that come with them.

Beliefs may vary, however, most agree they should be required for young children.

Mr. Schreibvogel, science teacher, thinks that it should be a requirement. “At least, for public schools to protect the little ones.” Sara Beth, senior, agreed, “Some should be a requirement, like the ones for newborn babies.”

While some agree that it should be mandatory, especially in regards to the little ones, others believe that vaccines should always be a choice.

Mrs. Dingus, librarian, stated, “It should be a choice. Over the years, I feel that vaccines have changed in the medical world. If I had the opportunity to do it all over again, there are many that I would choose to opt away from.” Bailey Seirer, senior, didn’t have as much to say on the subject, but stated, “I think that everyone should be able to choose.”

Are all vaccines safe to be injected into the body? Due to the unique and diverse minds we have here at HHS, opinions varied.

For instance, Sara Beth is in the middle. “I wouldn’t say all are, some of them yes, but not all.”

Others had a much stronger stance on their beliefs, such as Nurse Stefani, who replied, “As much as I hated seeing my kids get shots when they were babies and much smaller, I personally believe in the science and evidence that vaccines have eradicated many diseases, so yes I do think they are safe.”

Brooklyn Schiffelbien, junior, had more of an opposing view, stating, “No, sometimes you don’t know what’s all in them and what you are putting into your body.”

All had well-thought through opinions and made valid points on what they believed in. Vaccines play a prevalent role in society and are something that everyone should be knowledgeable about.

So next time you pay a visit to the doctor’s office, what will YOU decide?