Freed cites a good example of the toll of complacency. Mandatory vaccination for whooping cough was soon reinstated there. But some parents are concerned about vaccines' safety. Many people have the false idea that immunization weakens the immune system, says Freed. In reality, vaccines do the opposite.
Vaccines strengthen the immune system.
The vaccine is a weakened piece of a virus or bacteria. When it is placed in the body, the body begins to recognize this as something bad. The body recognizes it and attacks it. The vaccine provides a system for the body to recognize things that don't belong there, so an immune response is much faster. Unfortunately, sometimes during this early stage of life, disabilities such as developmental delays, cerebral palsy, autism and other disorders are initially diagnosed.