Early Childhood Vaccines

Many infectious diseases that once quickly spread and easily killed have been controlled or eradicated due to vaccinations. The efficacy of vaccines in reducing morbidity and mortality, particularly in children, is undeniable. Per the World Health Organization, childhood vaccinations prevent approximately 2-3 million deaths per year worldwide (WHO, 2016). In the United States, the value of immunizations is clearly displayed by comparing pre-vaccine era morbidity/mortality rates to post-vaccine era in regards to vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, prior to the diphtheria vaccine in the 1920’s, 206,000 people annually contracted the disease resulting in 15,520 deaths (History of Vaccines, 2009). However, between 2004 and 2014, only

(Center For Disease Control).Those at greatest risk for contracting the disease are individuals who do not vaccinate or children to young to receive the vaccine. Signs and symptoms of measles include high fevers up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, rash, cough, conjunctivitis and runny nose. Many other complications may evolve once a person is infected with measles some being otitis media and pneumonia. The infected person is contagious roughly about 4 days prior to the rash forming and for about 4-5 days after the rash disappears. Most people that have died from the disease did not die from measles but the complications of measles and secondary illnesses. (The History Of Vaccines).

This disease can lead to severe pneumonia, diarrhea, encephalitis and in a worst case scenario could even cause death.

One in every 1000 children who contract measles will develop encephalitis, one in 1000 children will die from it, and 25% will have neurological brain damage (National Center for Immunizations n.d.). Morbidity: The most common is ear infections--one in every 20 people with measles will have permanent hearing damage (CDC, 2015). Expectant mothers who contract the disease can go into premature labor and birth, have a spontaneous abortion, or deliver a low birth weight baby.

Throughout history people have seen many public health innovations. Numerous advancements were made between 2001 and 2010. These advancements include “tobacco control, motor vehicle safety, public health preparedness and response, and occupational safety.” (Ten Great Public Health Achievements --- United States, 2001—2010) One of the most important innovations was vaccine preventable diseases. Many people believe that it is right for the government to necessitate children to be vaccinated. Others think it is wrong and that the parents should decide what is best for their children’s health. It is beneficial for the United States government to require young children in the United States to get vaccinations including hepatitis A and B,

Hendrix, Kristin S., et al. "Ethics and Childhood Vaccination Policy in the United States." American Journal of Public Health, vol. 106, no. 2, Feb. 2016, pp. 273-278. EBSCOhost, doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302952.

Over many years there have been parents that are very resistant to giving their children vaccines for the most complex to simplest diseases. Getting your children vaccinated could potentially save your child’s life and wipe out the disease for good. All children should be vaccinated when they are old enough to get the medication because if they do not get vaccinated it could put their health and others’ at risk. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Early onset symptoms such as rash, vomiting, muscle pain, headache, and fever can occur (CDC)

Proponents will argue that vaccines can save the lives of children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics states that, "most childhood vaccines are 90%-99% effective in preventing disease." (3) If a child does get a disease, the symptoms are less severe if they have been vaccinated vs a child that has not. When there is a medical condition preventing the child from being vaccinated, like cancer, it is due to the child having little to no immune system. Vaccinating children, protects them from being infected with a disease that can result in death.

Acute tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils secondary to an infectious process causing painful swallowing and is more commonly attributed to a viral cause rather than bacterial (Shepherd, 2013). A physical assessment of the tonsils may reveal an increase in size with edema and erythema. This is often associated with upper respiratory symptoms like, headache and cough (Shepherd, 2013). Another diagnosis is pharyngitis. Pharyngitis is also a sore throat which is secondary to inflammation noted at the back of the throat and associated with complaints of pain when swallowing (Shepherd, 2013). Viral pharyngitis is the most common and can be contributed to the rhino or coronavirus which lasts between 5-7 days and presents with associated symptoms like cough, headache, fatigue and mild fever (Ruppert & Fay, 2015). Finally, GABHS or more commonly noted as strep throat is a potential diagnosis. This bacterial infection is most common in children and adolescents. Often individuals present with symptoms including throat pain, fever, chills, headache, cervical lymphadenopathy and exudate noted to tonsils or in the pharyngeal (Ruppert & Fay, 2015). This infectious process in younger children may also present with gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain but is not accompanied by cough or nasal

Vaccination can save your child. The medical world is more advance then it has ever been before. The advancements in medicine have been able to save many children’s lives again harmful diseases that once killed thousands. Vaccines have killed off many diseases and a lot are on the brink of extinction. Vaccination protects your child from more diseases than ever before. Polio was once an epidemic in the united states that killed millions. Thankfully to vaccination polio is very rare and has not been reported in the states recently. Vaccinations help your child’s immune system interact with the substance that is in the shot and kill it off so that they are immune. The vaccine will not harm your child. Yes, there can be allergic reactions but that is better than death from your body not being prepared to attack the viruses.

Some patients will develop pneumonia as a sequel to the measles. Other complications include ear infections, bronchitis (either viral bronchitis or secondary bacterial bronchitis), and encephalitis. Acute measles encephalitis has a mortality rate of 15%. While there is no specific treatment for measles encephalitis, antibiotics are required for bacterial pneumonia, sinusitis, and bronchitis that can follow measles.

Despite the fact, that some people believe that vaccination is bad, majority of the population still getting vaccinated yearly. One of the diseases children might experience is rotavirus which is major cause of severe acute gastroenteritis or AGE. Previously it infected nearly every child in United States by age of 5 years old until “routine rotavirus vaccination on United States infants began in 2006” (245). There were two studies conducted that proved that vaccination protects children from certain diseases. (name of the study) provided many rated based on their study and it showed that “rotavirus vaccination had dramatically decreased rates of hospitalization for rotavirus infection among children in United States countries” (245). The study demonstrated a burden of severe

There are more serious symptoms of having mumps, but although these are more severe they are also a lot less common.

The pros and cons of children immunization is my topic because being in the medical field it is my duty and responsibility to educate parents about the vaccinations which child is receiving and be able to explain to the parents what the vaccination is for and how to protect their child from illness or deadly diseases. According to MedlinePlus website the meaning of immunization (vaccination) is a way to trigger your immune system and prevent serious, life threatening diseases.17