Charles-Edward Winslow defined public health (CDC, 2012) as “the science …show more content…
and the art of preventing disease, prolonging life, and promoting physical health”. I chose this definition because it represents the principle of public health as not only a science, but as an art or skill so to speak that requires out of the box thinking in order to predict and develop innovative solutions to public health issues.
Immunizations are one of the most effective measures to prevent infectious disease.
Due to the increased access to immunizations over time we have seen a significant decline in vaccine preventable diseases. Consequently, this can result in a false sense of security that a particular disease is under control and has led some parents to question whether the risk of immunizing their children is necessary. The measles, mumps, and rubella are examples of vaccine preventable diseases and remain part of the immunization controversy. We continue to see many people die from the measles today due to nonadherence to recommended immunizations, which is due in part to concerns for the safety of the vaccine and education (Omer et al., 2009). …show more content…
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Since 1989 (Greydanus & Gibson, 2015) it is recommended that children in the United States are given two doses of the live viral vaccine, one at 12 to 15 months and the second between age four to six. In 2000 the CDC (Greydanus & Gibson, 2015) reported the measles had been eliminated, which was followed by a decline in vaccination rates. In 2011 there were 222 reported cases of the measles, followed by 288 cases in January 2014 and 59 in May 2014. These numbers may not compare to the over 800,000 reported cases in 1941 epidemic however, it should alert us to continue to be diligent in educating the public so that we attain the highest vaccination rates to prevent the possibility of a recurrence of an epidemic.
One recommendation would be to better educate the public on the risks and benefits of not immunizing particularly during the absence of outbreaks.
Many diseases are passed from person to person and immunizations provide protection not only for the individual but the community as well. As the rates for vaccine preventable diseases has declined so has public awareness as to the reasons why it is important to maintain high immunization rates. By increasing evidence based education we can prepare individuals to make better informed decisions regarding immunizations.
In conclusion, vaccinology has been one of the greatest developments in medicine and in turn has decreased infant mortality rates of vaccine preventable diseases (Greydanus & Gibson, 2015). It is imperative that health care provider, health care systems, local and state governments and public health work continue to work in collaboration to push through funding barriers, develop and implement immunization policies and to thwart off anti-vaccine movements by educating the public. Immunizations will continue to be an ongoing debate between individual rights and what is in the best interest of the public.
References
CDC (2012). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2012/12_0151.htm
CDC (2016). For parents: Vaccines for your children. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/child/index.html
Greydanus, D. & Gibson, K. (2015). Pediatric immunizations and the protection of our children. Journal of Alternative Medicine Research, 7(4), 305-333. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1751288631?accountid=89121
Omer, Saad B, MB, BS,PhD., M.P.H., Salmon, Daniel A,PhD., M.P.H., Orenstein, W. A., M.D., deHart, M. P., & Halsey, N., M.D. (2009). Vaccine refusal, mandatory immunization, and the risks of vaccine-preventable diseases. The New England Journal of Medicine, 360(19), 1981-8. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsa0806477
Tulchinsky, T., M.D., M.P.H., & Varavikova, E., MD, M.P.H., PhD. (2010). What is the "new public health"? Public Health Reviews, 32(1), 25-53. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/848717090?accountid=89121