Vaccinations

In this case study, there are many issues, which are raised concerning vaccination. Patty who has a daughter named Lana is not sure about letting her daughter be vaccinated. According to the pediatrician, Patty’s daughter is meant to be vaccinated against rubella (MMR), mumps and measles. Patty believes that vaccinating her daughter will only lead to problems. She bases her reasoning upon her friend’s child who suffered as a result of being vaccinated. Furthermore, she has evidence from a television show concerning the dangers related to being vaccinated. Patty believes that her daughter is at risk of having a seizure and even autism, due to being vaccinated. Despite being advised by her mother, Patty still has many doubts concerning vaccination. The main issue in this case study is that Patty is interested in obtaining scientific information regarding vaccination. This is as opposed to the emotional rhetoric she is receiving from her mother, her friend and the media.

In order for Patty, to make informed decisions about her daughter’s vaccination she must obtain the help of various sources. Patty should find out from the pediatrician the advantages of her daughter being vaccinated. She should also find out if it is mandatory that her daughter is vaccinated (Poland & Jacobson, 2001). Moreover, she should be informed about the laws that exist in her state concerning vaccination of children. Since Patty’s daughter will in the near future be going to school, she has to know about matters of schooling and vaccination. She should find out if the school her daughter will attend has any regulations regarding to vaccinations. Furthermore, incase her daughter is affected by the vaccinations she has obtained, she should know where to report. All the above information is useful in making decisions about having her daughter vaccinated.

Vaccination is extremely necessary as it has more advantages as compared to disadvantages. It is a known fact that, in this century, vaccines are cost effective as well as successful in preventing diseases. They are known as tools used in public health due to their many benefits. Vaccines are known to prevent death and even disability among human beings. People who have been vaccinated are less likely to develop serious diseases as compared to those who are not. For children, vaccination is highly recommended as infectious agents will not attack them easily (Bedford & Elliman, 2000). Some people claim that natural infection is better than the use of vaccines, but this is not the case. A heavy price is often paid by those who choose to have natural immunity. They are at a high risk of suffering from chicken pox, pneumonia, liver cancer, measles, and even through death. Certain vaccines are known to have a positive response as compared to natural infection. They include; pneumococcal, human papillomavirus, and the tetanus vaccine among others.

There are various reasons, which exist, and they influence people to be vaccinated. Some claim that it might lead to acquiring other diseases, as well as conditions. From the case study some of the children who were vaccinated developed seizures and one even became autistic. For example, a study done in Finland linked vaccination with type I Diabetes. .Another reason is that some people believe that natural immunity is better off than vaccination. Vaccines are also known to damage the immune systems of human beings, making them more prone to becoming sick. This means that are a variety of reasons, which make people not want to be vaccinated.

Vaccines not only help children but even they attain adulthood in the future. According to research, most elderly people normally those older than 65 lose their lives to influenza. Furthermore, they are highly at risk when there are break outs of epidemics. Moreover, they are at risk of dying due to pneumonia related illnesses (Fiore & Bridges & Cox, 2009). It must be known that, in some American states such as Mississippi, children are required to be vaccinated. Some schools are known not to enroll children who have never been vaccinated. They fear that other children in the school are at risk from being affected by them, in case they have any harmful agents.

It is vital that children, as well as human beings, are vaccinated due to various reasons. Under the Obama administration, many initiatives are being conducted to inform people about the benefits of immunizing their children. In turn, the number of children who are being immunized has increases significantly. The result is that many diseases have been prevented as a result of vaccination (Fiore & Bridges & Cox, 2009). Ninety five percent of all childhood diseases in the United States has been prevented. In the past, many children lost their lives before the polio vaccine came into existence. Also, vaccinations are known to save on money, suffering, reduce pain and even save lives. The vaccine administered for the rubella syndrome is extremely effective, and thus costs of caring for children are reduced. Currently, only the safest vaccines are administered to children as well as adults. The highest standards always have to exist during the vaccination process. The USDA must approve all the vaccines in the United States to ensure that they are of top quality. Patty should have her daughter vaccinated.

References

Fiore, E. & Bridges, C. & Cox, N. (2009). “Seasonal influenza vaccines”. Currents. Topics in. Microbiology & Immunology. 333: 43–82.

Bedford, H. & Elliman, D. (2000). HYPERLINK “http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=1117437” “Concerns about immunization”. British Medical Journal 320, 7229, 240–243.

Poland ,G. & Jacobson, R. (2001). “Understanding those who do not understand: a brief review of the anti-vaccine movement”. Vaccine 19, 2440–2445.