Vaccine: A preparation of killed microorganisms, attenuated living organisms, or fully virulent living organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease (“Vaccine.” Merriam-Webster.com .) Most parents trust their pediatrician or family doctor more than anyone else when it comes to their child's health. However, many parents are starting to question their doctor's advice when it comes to vaccinating their children. After countless accusations of harmful effects of childhood vaccinations, some parents have decided to stop vaccinating their children, endangering not only their child, but the entire human population. In 1796, Edward Jenner created a vaccine developed from the cowpox virus. He then administered this vaccine to a 13-year-old boy suffering from smallpox. The boy became immune to smallpox, and Jenner was named the founding father of vaccinations. After its discovery, vaccines were subsequently created against cholera, tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and polio. (“A Brief History of Vaccination.”) Vaccines are the only government-mandated health procedure. That's because the government has found that it can take weeks for the body to naturally protect itself from disease. In this way, a serious progression or spread of diseases can occur that can harm not only an individual, but also the public around him. At that point it becomes too dangerous to depend on natural immunity alone. The purpose of vaccines is to “trick” the body into developing antibodies that can fight disease and protect a person before they get sick or show signs of the disease. (“Understanding how vaccines work.”) The vaccination controversy originally arose because of a discovery… in the middle of the paper… as common as 1/150. Some argue that this is no coincidence because immune disorders are often caused by environmental factors. When many people think of the vaccine controversy, they think of autism. Studies have shown that autism is caused by chemical toxins and affects the brain, immune system and gut. The children did not develop these symptoms until they were given the vaccines. Autism and mercury poisoning have almost identical symptoms, indicating that Thermisol is a contributing factor to the jumps in autism. (“You know… the vaccine controversy.”) Parents also believe they deserve to have the right to choose which drugs to inject into their children for religious reasons. Forcing someone to perform an act contrary to their religion is a violation of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. (“You know…the vaccine controversy”.)