I chose immunization because over the years I have heard the different arguments on whether or not the immunizations are safe. According to Berger, immunizations along with clean water and nourishing food have made a difference in the survival of young children. So, why do parents not want to safeguard their children's health by immunizing them?
I can understand some of the arguments and especially because of religious reasons, but I can still see where not getting the shots could hurt the child. Several years ago before the chicken pox vaccine was mandatory, I had a toddler who did not receive immunizations because of religion reasons. The child did not do well in our child care setting. We had a breakout of chicken pox and the child almost died. So, when the child was better, I asked the family to not bring him because of the risk to the child. In reading the text, the herd immunity was very interesting. If the chicken pox shot had been mandatory, I think the risk to the child would have been smaller because of herd immunity. According to Berger, people who are not immunized are covered by herd immunity if 90% of the population is immunized. The shots also protect individuals from serious complications, such as deafness, deformities, and sterility.
In China, the immunizations are similar to the United States immunization shots. The one difference is the vaccination for the Bird flu (Avian influenza A(H7N9). Since this virus was never seen in humans just birds, the outbreaks have made the vaccination mandatory and research to show how the flu is not spread by human to human contact but by dead birds. Fortunately, the United States has not had the breakouts so only those traveling to China will need the vaccine.
As far as my future work, I think the immunizations are crucial for less childhood diseases and the health of our children. I have never felt the immunizations should not be mandatory. As with the chicken pox shot, instead of entire classroom and the facility having it, I very seldom see any cases and the one I have seen were maybe a couple of sores. So, all in all the immunizations are working and I for one am glad because my two year old nephew will have a greater chance of not having it at all.
Berger K.S. (2012). The Developing Person Through Childhood (6th ed). Worth Publishing; New York, NY.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.an). Avian Influenza S(H7N9). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/
Hi Shelley,
ReplyDeleteI too was fascinated by herd immunity. I applaud any country that achieves this. It signifies that health is a priority in that country and the government has probably helped to make people aware of the benefits of immunization and facilitated access to these vaccinations. It is interesting that the immunization shots in China and the US are similar. Thanks for sharing.