In our adult literacy/health literacy classes, our volunteer tutors strive to get the most from our students, pushing them to the next level as they pursue the gift of literacy. For example, in one of our classes, we asked students to think through and write their thoughts on whether or not you should be vaccinated. The paragraph had to include these elements: a hook, transition sentence, topic sentence, a body with good organization and sentence flow, and a concluding sentence. Here are students thoughts. They have been edited by the students only. These paragraphs are 100% our students narrative voice. Student Thoughts on Vaccines SOCIETAL DUTY OR PERSONAL CHOICE! (A conversation) C: Hi , Ms. M MS. M: Hi C! How are you? C: Just fine, thanks what’s new? MS. M: Nothing much, what’s new with you? C: Well, my daughter has been sick! MS. M: What happens? C: There are many sick children. MS. M: Oh! What do you think there are so many? C: I think there are parents who do not want to vaccinate their children. What do you think it should be mandatory or personal choice? MS.M: For me personal choice. C: Oh!! I respect your opinion but think about. What happens if you choose no to vaccinate you and your family? Vaccines can prevent common diseases that used to seriously harm or even kill children and adults. Without vaccines your family are at risk of becoming seriously ill or even dying. For me, it is a lack of respect and thoughtlessness for others not to apply vaccines, at least the most essential ones. Thanks to vaccines , families are protected from these diseases like Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Flu, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, Measles, Mumps, Poliomyelitis, Rotavirus, Rubella, Tetanus, Whooping cough, etc. Ms. M you still think that vaccination should not be mandatory? -Student C The First Vaccine There has been confusion and misunderstandings about vaccines. But vaccinations are an important part of family and public health. Vaccines prevent the spread of contagious, dangerous, and deadly diseases. These include measles, polio, mumps, chicken pox, whooping cough, diphtheria, HPV, and COVID-19. The first vaccine discovered was the smallpox vaccine. Smallpox was a deadly illness. It killed 300 million to 500 million people around the world in the last century. After the vaccine was given to people, the disease was eventually erased. It’s the only disease to be destroyed. There are now others close to that point, including polio. -Student NAH Are vaccines beneficial or harmful to human health? Let's explore how vaccines affect human health. In the 18th century, in 1796, an English doctor named Edward Jenner used a vaccine to treat smallpox, and the concept of vaccines began from there. Before Dr. Edward Jenner invented the smallpox vaccine, in England, out of every ten people who contracted the disease, nine would die, and only one would survive with scars. Later, a French doctor named Louis Pasteur continued this concept in the field of microbiology. Vaccination has also faced many controversies, from scientific, ethical, political, health safety, religious, and many other perspectives. Vaccination is now widely accepted in many countries due to its initial success and mandatory vaccination laws. Vaccination campaigns are carried out extensively, and their effectiveness in reducing disease incidence has been recognized worldwide. As we have seen in the 21st-century pandemic, COVID-19 emerged in China and spread worldwide, killing millions of people. Despite the scientific advancements in various fields in the 21st century, there is still no cure or way to stop the pandemic without the discovery of vaccines. One thing to note is that the majority of vaccinations are either free or cost-effective compared to the cost of treatment. Therefore, parents should ensure that their children receive complete vaccinations to protect them from infectious diseases that can cause harm. Why do we need to get vaccines? Getting vaccinated helps protect you against potentially harmful diseases by triggering your immune system to produce antibodies that fight off infections. This not only helps to keep you healthy, but also helps to protect those around you who may not be able to get vaccinated, such as infants or individuals with weakened immune systems. Vaccinations also play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases within communities, ultimately leading to lower rates of illness and fewer outbreaks. By getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself, but also contributing to the overall health and well-being of society. Therefore vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from serious illnesses and their potentially devastating consequences. -Student F Build Herd Immunity Getting vaccinated isn't only about protecting yourself; it's also about keeping others safe. When you get vaccinated, you not only decrease your own chances of getting very sick but also help stop the virus from spreading to people who might not be able to get vaccinated themselves. Our world is connected more than ever, and there are risks everywhere. Vaccination is something we do together to build immunity and fight against many diseases. Plus, vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the risk of severe complications. Without vaccines, many children could get seriously sick or even die from diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough. It's a small action that makes a big difference in the health and wellness of our communities." A Personal Letter to Jhon Dear Jhon, i’ve heard that you’re refusing giving vaccins to your children. I completely understand your fears and i’m not here to judge you! The decision of injecting your children with “chemicals” is not easy, but let me tell you this story. I have multiple sclerosis, a chronicle disease that causes me a lot of pain and sometimes handicap. When i gave birth to my first child, his doctor at the hospital asked me not to give him hepatitis vaccine directly after his birth, because some studies in Europe are searching for a link between hepatitis and MS. I said ok, of course the doctor knows better than me! but later on i chose another pediatrician to follow up with my kid and he told me this story about a very wealthy woman, who was very beautiful, healthy and her eyes were full of life. One day during a trip to India she fall down and has been hospitalise by transferring blood to her. When she returned home she collapsed, she was very sick without knowing the cause. This beautiful very healthy woman died after six months and you know why? The blood given to her in India was contaminated with hepatitis and she had no immunity on this disease since she didn’t take the vaccine when she was kid! She was healthy and wealthy but this doesn’t stop her death. Her parents, they are anti vaxxes, were devastated and felt guilty to the point that her mom tried to put end to her life over regret. I’ m telling you this story because i know how it feels to loose someone you love, we are not living in a perfect world where there is no pollution, the food is healthy and we can control everything around us. Your children are respiring pollute air that can cause pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma, vaccins can save them. They are eating food injected with anti inflammatories and genetically modified. Vaccines not only protect your children but also contribute to the health of the community. Think about it and tell me when you are ready, maybe we will debunk together all the myths about vaccins with factual evidence. I know that you are a great dad and you will take the right decision to protect your angels. -Student H

In our adult literacy/health literacy classes, our volunteer tutors strive to get the most from our students, pushing them to the next level as they pursue the gift of literacy. For example, in one of our classes, we asked students to think through and write their thoughts on whether or not you should be vaccinated.

The paragraph had to include these elements: a hook, transition sentence, topic sentence, a body with good organization and sentence flow, and a concluding sentence.

Here are students thoughts. They have been edited by the students only. These paragraphs are 100% our students narrative voice.

Student Thoughts on Vaccines

SOCIETAL DUTY OR PERSONAL CHOICE!
(A conversation)

C: Hi , Ms. M
MS. M: Hi C! How are you?
C: Just fine, thanks what’s new?
MS. M: Nothing much, what’s new with you?
C: Well, my daughter has been sick!
MS. M: What happens?
C: There are many sick children.
MS. M: Oh! What do you think there are so many?
C: I think there are parents who do not want to vaccinate their children.
What do you think it should be mandatory or personal choice?
MS.M: For me personal choice.
C: Oh!! I respect your opinion but think about.
What happens if you choose no to vaccinate you and your family?
Vaccines can prevent common diseases that used to seriously harm or even kill
children and adults. Without vaccines your family are at risk of becoming
seriously ill or even dying.
For me, it is a lack of respect and thoughtlessness for others not to apply
vaccines, at least the most essential ones.
Thanks to vaccines , families are protected from these diseases like
Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Flu, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, HPV, Measles, Mumps,
Poliomyelitis, Rotavirus, Rubella, Tetanus, Whooping cough, etc.
Ms. M you still think that vaccination should not be mandatory?
-Student C

The First Vaccine
There has been confusion and misunderstandings about vaccines. But vaccinations are an important part of family and public health. Vaccines prevent the spread of contagious, dangerous, and deadly diseases. These include measles, polio, mumps, chicken pox, whooping cough, diphtheria, HPV, and COVID-19.

The first vaccine discovered was the smallpox vaccine. Smallpox was a deadly illness. It killed 300 million to 500 million people around the world in the last century. After the vaccine was given to people, the disease was eventually erased. It’s the only disease to be destroyed. There are now others close to that point, including polio.
-Student NAH

Are vaccines beneficial or harmful to human health?
Let's explore how vaccines affect human health.

In the 18th century, in 1796, an English doctor named Edward Jenner used a vaccine to treat smallpox, and the concept of vaccines began from there.

Before Dr. Edward Jenner invented the smallpox vaccine, in England, out of every ten people who contracted the disease, nine would die, and only one would survive with scars. Later, a French doctor named Louis Pasteur continued this concept in the field of microbiology.

Vaccination has also faced many controversies, from scientific, ethical, political, health safety, religious, and many other perspectives. Vaccination is now widely accepted in many countries due to its initial success and mandatory vaccination laws. Vaccination campaigns are carried out extensively, and their effectiveness in reducing disease incidence has been recognized worldwide.

As we have seen in the 21st-century pandemic, COVID-19 emerged in China and spread worldwide, killing millions of people. Despite the scientific advancements in various fields in the 21st century, there is still no cure or way to stop the pandemic without the discovery of vaccines.

One thing to note is that the majority of vaccinations are either free or cost-effective compared to the cost of treatment.

Therefore, parents should ensure that their children receive complete vaccinations to protect them from infectious diseases that can cause harm.

Why do we need to get vaccines?
Getting vaccinated helps protect you against potentially harmful diseases by triggering your immune system to produce antibodies that fight off infections. This not only helps to keep you healthy, but also helps to protect those around you who may not be able to get vaccinated, such as infants or individuals with weakened immune systems. Vaccinations also play a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases within communities, ultimately leading to lower rates of illness and fewer outbreaks. By getting vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself, but also contributing to the overall health and well-being of society. Therefore vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect yourself and others from serious illnesses and their potentially devastating consequences.

-Student F

Build Herd Immunity
Getting vaccinated isn't only about protecting yourself; it's also about keeping others safe. When you get vaccinated, you not only decrease your own chances of getting very sick but also help stop the virus from spreading to people who might not be able to get vaccinated themselves. Our world is connected more than ever, and there are risks everywhere. Vaccination is something we do together to build immunity and fight against many diseases. Plus, vaccines are safe and effective in reducing the risk of severe complications. Without vaccines, many children could get seriously sick or even die from diseases like measles, mumps, and whooping cough. It's a small action that makes a big difference in the health and wellness of our communities."

A Personal Letter to Jhon
Dear Jhon, i’ve heard that you’re refusing giving vaccins to your children. I completely understand your fears and i’m not here to judge you! The decision of injecting your children with “chemicals” is not easy, but let me tell you this story.

I have multiple sclerosis, a chronicle disease that causes me a lot of pain and sometimes handicap. When i gave birth to my first child, his doctor at the hospital asked me not to give him hepatitis vaccine directly after his birth, because some studies in Europe are searching for a link between hepatitis and MS. I said ok, of course the doctor knows better than me! but later on i chose another pediatrician to follow up with my kid and he told me this story about a very wealthy woman, who was very beautiful, healthy and her eyes were full of life. One day during a trip to India she fall down and has been hospitalise by transferring blood to her. When she returned home she collapsed, she was very sick without knowing the cause. This beautiful very healthy woman died after six months and you know why? The blood given to her in India was contaminated with hepatitis and she had no immunity on this disease since she didn’t take the vaccine when she was kid! She was healthy and wealthy but this doesn’t stop her death. Her parents, they are anti vaxxes, were devastated and felt guilty to the point that her mom tried to put end to her life over regret. I’ m telling you this story because i know how it feels to loose someone you love, we are not living in a perfect world where there is no pollution, the food is healthy and we can control everything around us. Your children are respiring pollute air that can cause pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma, vaccins can save them. They are eating food injected with anti inflammatories and genetically modified. Vaccines not only protect your children but also contribute to the health of the community. Think about it and tell me when you are ready, maybe we will debunk together all the myths about vaccins with factual evidence.

I know that you are a great dad and you will take the right decision to protect your angels.

-Student H