A debate continues in America on the safety and effectiveness of vaccinations. On one side is science, fueled by study after study that proves vaccinations are safe for the overwhelming majority of people who receive them. The other side appears to be fueled by misguided, and many times, incorrect information about vaccinations. vaccinations have saved countless lives as the result of providing the recipient with an artificially-acquired immunity against diseases that used to infect and kill tens to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe every year. Some of the recent outbreaks that have spread once controlled diseases throughout pockets of the U.S. highlight that for people to be protected against these diseases, herd immunity needs to be kept at the minimum levels recommended by the CDC. Since too many people are unable to make the right choice for the benefit of their neighbors, the only answer is to mandate certain vaccinations by the government for anyone living inside the U.S. There are many people who are legitimately unable to receive immunizations, and it is irresponsible of the U.S. government to allow religious and philosophical exemptions from receiving vaccinations. The anti-vax movement has grown in strength, and unfortunately, people have forgotten or have never known, the deadly consequences of these preventable diseases. People should not be placed into unnecessary risk to satisfy another’s philosophical ideals. Science has proven the effectiveness and relative safety of vaccinations, and it is the government’s responsibility to protect the people.