According to J. P. Baker (2000) cited in Berger (2012),
immunization/vaccination have had “a great impact on human mortality reduction
and population growth than any other public health intervention besides clean
water.” (p.149)
A vaccine is essentially the introduction of a small dose of
inactive (killed or weakened) virus into a healthy person. This triggers the body’s immune system to
produce antibodies, thus providing immunity.
In today’s society it is necessary that young children be immunized at
an early age. Without immunization,
children’s chances of dying from infectious diseases such as measles, mumps,
whooping cough, polio, pneumonia increases immensely. Moreover, immunizations do not only protect
children from such contagious diseases, but also from complications such as
deafness, blindness, sterility and meningitis (Berger, 2012). Additionally, immunization offers protection
beyond the individual child and to the community by extension. When many children are immunized against a
disease, transmission of that disease is reduced, and those individuals who are
not vaccinated can be indirectly protected through a phenomenon known as her
immunity. While some diseases have been practically
eliminated, outbreaks can still occur, especially when immunization rates have plummeted.
Therefore, it is essential that children continue to receive these vaccines. Swierzewski (2008) is of the view that
accurate records of children’s immunization should be kept by parents and
caretakers as this will help them know the due date of the next shot.
Although immunization coverage has increased world during
the past decades, WHO’s African region has consistently fallen behind. Nonetheless, immunization coverage in this
region is increasing dramatically.
Between 2000 and 2004 coverage of the DTP-3 vaccine increased from 54%
in 2000 to 69% in 2004 across the region.
Due to donor funding a number of new vaccines have been introduced and
there has been advances in the control of polio and measles. However, continued donor support is needed in
an effort to achieve greater improvement and to sustain the eradication of
polio and measles.
In St. Lucia, it is mandatory that children’s immunization
charts are up to date before entering formal schooling, and as such the school
population is protected from these contagious diseases. According to the World Health Organization
(2009) “vaccines have the power not only to save, but to transform lives-
giving children a chance to grow up healthy, go to school and improve their
live prospects.” Therefore, as an
educator, I feel obligated to helping my children reach their optimal. As a result, I will continue to educate
parents on the importance of immunization and the impact it will have on the
future lives of their children. I will
help them understand that despite the fact that the shot may create some
discomfort for the child or the child may get a fever, the disease that it
prevents can have a more detrimental effect.
Additionally, I will advise them to keep the record card of the child’s
immunization in a secure place as it will remind them of the dates for the
shots and they should stick to these dates since these shots are free at the
community health centres.
My interest in immunization was sparked when I took my class
to the community health centre last week to receive their vaccine (which should
be received at age 12). The child whom I wrote about in last week’s discussion
had to take three shots since his mother had not taken him to get the previous
ones. Knowing that vaccines protect
children against serious illness that may result in disabilities and even death
I became interested in the topic.
References
Arevshatian, L., Clements, C. J., Lwanga, S. K., Misore, A.
O., Ndumbe, P., Seward, J. F., & Taylor, P. (2007). An evaluation of
infants immunization in Africa: is a transformation in progress? WHO
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through
childhood (6th ed.). New York: Worth Publishers.
Swierzewski, S. J. (2008). Overview of childhood
immunizations. Retrieved from http://www.pediatrichealthchannel.com/childhood-immunization/overview-of-child-vaccines.shtml
World Health Organization (2009). State of the world’s
vaccines and immunization (3rd ed.). Gineva, Switzerland.
I believe often times parent do not know the seriousness of immunization. I know various people who decline to have their children immunized because of religous preferences. I am not criticizing anyone religious preferences, however, I would like to the reason behind it. Also, when parents are late getting their child immunized, the child suffer because sometimes they must double up on their shots.
ReplyDeleteJust as in St.Lucia, immunization is free at the clinics unless going to a private doctor, and they are also mandatory upon school entry. Although for most parents in Barbados it is like clockwork to have your child immunized, there are still some parents who don't do it for one reason or another, therefore it is still enforced to the parents to have their children updated on their immunizations. In this instance I would say that immunizations are a necessary evil, because it later protects the child from unnecessary diseases.
ReplyDeleteZephirina,
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the lack of accurate information seems to be huge factor in why some children are not being immunized. As a parent, I think the risk of not immunizing children is far greater than the potential adverse effects of immunization. The illnesses that immunizations protect children from are very serious and quite often deadly. Over the years, I had several children in my program whose parent's opted not to immunize them. I heard many reasons, but the one that sticks out the most is the risk of autism. I do not believe there is enough research to substantiate these fears, yet it is becoming increasingly prevalent. As early childhood professionals, what can we do to promote immunizations and dispel the fears of misinformed parents?
Thanks,
Pamela