Many thousands of people born this year will live to see the 22d century. The main reason for this increase in life expectancy is that epidemics of infectious diseases are being better controlled. The first significant step in the fight against infectious disease was made in 1796 with the discovery of a vaccine to prevent smallpox. Many epidemics experienced by people in the new industrial towns of the 19th century led many reformers to put pressure on the government to take responsibility for the welfare of the population. Federal and state governments have accepted more responsibility for public health.
Laws require children to be immunized against infectious diseases before entering school.
But there is growing evidence that vaccines do have adverse effects on some children. It is believed that vaccines have attribiuted to some children's handicaps and even have caused death. They question their safety and the effectiveness. Some feel their other factors have attributed to the control of diseases such as better sanitary conditions and healthier diets and there is no need to subject children to the dangerous side effects of vaccines. They believe parents should have the right to decide if their children should be immunized.