Case Study: To Vaccinate or Not

Look, the chicken pox vaccine comes with some risks. The chicken pox vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. It can cause a mild case of chicken pox or shingles. Plus, its not necessary. As long as everyone else at work has had chicken pox or has been vaccinated, I dont need to be vaccinated. And I dont like needles or doctors, said Sam. But, Sam, replied Dakota, what if everyone or even just a third of the population followed your example? Then there would be no herd immunity. Everyone who had not been vaccinated would be at risk. In addition, chicken pox is a different disease in adults. The rash is usually more widespread, the fever lasts longer, and complications are more common. And if a pregnant woman gets chicken pox, a lot of really nasty things can happen to her baby. I know it takes two shots, I know you dont want to spend the money, and I know you hate shots. But you really ought to get vaccinated, for yourself and for the other people here at work. Discussion questions:

What are the external effects of a vaccine?

Would too few people be vaccinated if it were not mandatory? What evidence supports your conclusion?

What steps do governments take to increase vaccination rates?

What steps do private companies take to increase vaccination rates? Why?