Outline The Importance Of Immunization Essay

Importance of Immunizations Healthy People 2020 has a vision for the entire community to live long, healthy lives. By using topics, objectives, statistics, and goals, they impact society in many different aspects. Their hope is to “attain high-quality, longer lives free of preventable disease, disability, injury, and premature death… as well as to promote quality of life, healthy development, and healthy behaviors across all life stages” (U.S Department of Health & Human Services [HHS], 2016). Every ten years Healthy People evaluate their progress and make any necessary changes to their objectives and goals.
Healthy People 2020 Objective A few of the Healthy People 2020 objectives are directly related to increasing immunization rates in the pediatric population. The general objective the author has chosen to discuss is to “Reduce, eliminate, or maintain elimination of cases of vaccine preventable diseases” (HHS, 2016). This paper focuses on the
measles, a vaccine preventable disease. The objective is to “Reduce U.S acquired measles cases.” In 2008, there were 115 confirmed cases of the measles that were U.S acquired. The target by 2020 is 30 cases (HHS, 2016). Immunizations are important because they save 2.5 million children from preventable diseases each year. If you break that down, it is about 285 children saved every hour (ProCon, 2016). This topic is important because measles can be prevented with Measles, Mumps, and Rubella, or MMR, vaccine. Measles is a highly contagious virus that has the potential to spread very easily. With one dose of the vaccine, it is about 93% effective in preventing measles, and with two doses it increases to about 97% (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). Childhood deaths due to the measles have been decreased by 74% because of the MMR vaccine (ProCon, 2016).
Impact of Immunizations With the complexity and amount of information regarding vaccines continuing to grow, there becomes a lesser understanding of the issues and systems by the public and health care professionals (Wade, 2014). Specifically, the measles is a very serious respiratory disease. It causes a rash, fever, difficulty breathing, and can even lead to death. Between 2001 and 2013, 28% of children less than five years old that contracted the measles were treated in the hospital (CDC, 2015). Immunizations impact growth and development in children. When someone receives the MMR vaccine, along with measles they are also protecting themselves from rubella, another life threatening disease. When a pregnant woman has been vaccinated, they are greatly reducing the risk of their unborn child developing birth defects. The woman can pass the disease to her child, and cause problems associated with the disease such as heart issues, vision and hearing loss, liver and spleen damage, and mental disabilities. (ProCon, 2016). Vaccines protect what is called herd immunity. Herd immunity, or community immunity, is a critical portion of a population that is vaccinated against contagious diseases. It is unlikely for an outbreak to occur due to the fact that the majority of the community is protected. Some children and adults are unable to be vaccinated due to circumstances such as chemotherapy and being immunocompromised. These people rely on the herd immunity to protect themselves from contracting a contagious disease (ProCon, 2016).
Consequences of Anti-Immunization There are several consequences of choosing to not immunize your child. If a child is not immunized from any number of diseases, they are not allowed to attend school if and when there is an outbreak of any vaccine preventable disease. Outbreaks happen in waves, which can potentially last for several months (Wade, 2014). Measles is a very dangerous disease. Even with treatment, measles can lead to pneumonia, lifelong brain damage, deafness, and even death (CDC, 2015). It is highly publicized that the MMR vaccine is linked to children developing autism. “More than one in five parents believes that some vaccines cause autism in otherwise healthy children” (Wade, 2014). Scientists in the United States and other countries have carefully studied the MMR shot and no link has been found between autism and this vaccine (CDC, 2015). Because of this misunderstanding, the measles epidemics have erupted as the disease is carried into the United States by immigrants and international travelers and infecting American children (Wade, 2014).
The Nurse’s Role Nurses are an important role when it comes to parents giving consent for their child to receive immunizations. They must effectively communicate about the risks of the disease compared to vaccine-related risks. Nurses must gain an understanding why parents choose not to vaccinate their children. This can lead to better communication and possibly influence the parents. They must use open ended questions and engage in active listening in order to address parental concerns (Wade, 2014). Nurses are active advocates for immunizations, building trust with parents, and “adapting educational materials in ways that effectively address their concerns” (Wade, 2014). Nurses engage in many interventions that are geared towards immunizing all children. A lack of reliable information from health care providers and an overload of confusing data in the media are causing parents to exempt their children from receiving vaccines. Nurses become very influential in times like that, and can potentially decrease the amount of non-vaccinated children (Wade, 2014). They can provide websites and resources that have reliable information to help educate parents. They must update immunization records. Nurses must also build a trusting relationship with parents. It is just as important if not more, than providing facts and information (Wade, 2014).
Legal-Ethical Issues As with many health care topics, there are legal and ethical issues that have to do with immunizations.
Specifically with nurses, they must have an understanding of their own views and beliefs regarding the controversy of immunizing or not. This is to ensure that they are giving positive information to parents (Wade, 2014). The Mayo Clinic believes “natural defense provides a more complete immunity than any vaccines” (ProCon, 2016). Some people believe that medical decisions should be completely left for the parents to decide. If we are forced to receive these vaccinations, we are accepting the fact that the state owns our bodies (ProCon, 2016). Although rare, vaccines can cause serious side effects; some even potentially fatal. Specifically, MMR and DTap are known to cause long-tern seizures, coma, lowered consciousness, and permanent brain damage. Although these side effects are very serious, the chances of having a life threatening allergic reaction are about one in a million chance (ProCon,
2016).

Conclusion Healthy People is working very hard to decrease the number of children contracting vaccine preventable diseases. The movement is hoping that nurses and other health care providers will support these goals and help in any way that they can. Support and encouragement by nurses can promote best practice and healthy childhood outcomes (Wade, 2014). It is important to know reliable information versus incorrect facts on this subject. Prevention is the key to achieving the goal of less contracted vaccine preventable diseases. Well informed parents and health care providers are a huge part of reaching this goal.