Should Vaccination Be Required for Children in Canada?

Issue: Should Vaccination Be Required for Children in Canada?

The Canadian Paediatric Society and National Advisory Committee on Immunization currently recommend 28 doses of 10 vaccines for kids aged 0 to six. No Canadian federal laws currently mandate vaccination, but Ontario does require certain vaccinations for children entering public schools.

Proponents say that vaccination is safe and one of the greatest health developments of the 20th century. They point out that illnesses, including rubella, diphtheria, smallpox, polio, and whooping cough, are now prevented by vaccination and millions of children’s lives are saved. They contend adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely rare.

Opponents say that children’s immune systems can deal with most infections naturally, and that injecting questionable vaccine ingredients into a child may cause side effects, including seizures, paralysis, and death. They contend that numerous studies prove that vaccines may trigger problems like autism, ADHD, and diabetes.

In groups of 6-8, consult a minimum of 3 credible sources (government organization websites, peer-reviewed journals, reputable publications, etc.), and construct a reasoned judgment in support of or arguing against the mandatory vaccination of children. 

In 5-page double-spaced report, be sure to include and address the following key Critical Thinking Inquiry questions:

• What kinds of claims or judgments are at issue? (Evaluative, Factual, Ethical, etc.)

• What are the relevant reasons and arguments on both sides of the issue?

• What is the context of the issue?

• How do we comparatively revalue the reasons and arguments to reach a reasoned judgment?

In this report your group must demonstrate its ability to:

• Format a report according to APA style (i.e., title page, page layout, double-spacing, Times New Roman 12 font, in-text citations, References page).
• Communicate information to the reader in a conventional manner (i.e., complete sentences and paragraphs).
• Accurately include a minimum of three sources, one of which MUST BE PEER REVIEWED in a References page. Remember your References only include what you have cited in your report.

REPORT STRUCTURE – 30 marks in total

1. Title Page (2 marks)

The report should include a title page in APA format, including a running head and page number.  Check OWL Purdue for the correct information to be included on the title page.

2. The Body (24 marks)

The report will have four sections

• An introduction (that introduces the paper to the reader. It should tell the reader what the report is about and clearly indicates the group’s position on the vaccination debate. The introduction should offer a “hook” that highlights the key arguments of the paper. This section should also include reference to the kinds of claims or judgements that are at issue (ethical, factual, etc.).  3 marks

• A section addressing the context of the debate. This section will include examination of the historical, political and intellectual   This section must, in its findings, lend support to the group’s standpoint on the debate. - 10 marks
• A comparative evaluation of the various reasons and arguments on both sides of the issue. What are relevant reasons that are offered on each side of the debate? And, why is the position that your group takes on the issue superior to arguments offered by the opposition? - 9 marks
• The conclusion should summarize what was discussed in the report and offer a final word or two on the subject. – 2 marks

3. The Bibliography (4 marks)

The bibliography includes a References page in APA format. There must be a minimum of 3 credible sources, one of which MUST be peer reviewed.