Childhood immunization has recently come under scrutiny because there have been studies that link immunization to autism. Many advocates of Autism believe that thimerosal mercury which is a preservative in some vaccines was the cause. Since 2001 thimerosal mercury has been removed, but the rate of the onset of autism has not decreased. It is the same rate of other countries where thimerosal continues to be used.
Immunizations is said to have had “a greater impact on human mortality reduction and population growth than any other public health intervention besides clean water” (J.P. Baker, 2000). Immunizations in the United States have been mandatory if you wanted your children to attend school. But recently at least 21 states have adopted what is called the personal belief exemption which allows children who have not been immunized to attend school. These exemption rates are going up.
Vaccines have been so effective that parents of today have no idea what many of these diseases look like and what the diseases cause. Americans no longer see the shrunken legs and paralyzed children affected by polio. It is my opinion that the benefits of immunization far outweigh the disadvantages and children should still be required to be immunized against these diseases.
In India immunization such as DPT vaccine and polio vaccine are provided under Universal immunization Program, but there are several others such as varicella, vaccine against chickenpox and Pneumococcal infection that are not covered under this program. The MMR vaccine that protects against Measles, Mumps and Rubella diseases have not been a priority for health agencies in this area.
The polio disease is still seen in countries such as South Asia, Utter Pradesh and Bihar states in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan and Africa. Measles, Mumps and Rubella are still seen in other countries such as Western Europe.
I choose this subject because I read how positively it has impacted mortality rates around the world. After researching this topic my opinion remains the same that immunizations are very necessary and the dangers are far less than the benefits. I would always recommend to parents to immunize their children.
References:
Berger, K. S. (2009). The developing person through childhood (5th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Chapter 5 page 150
Park, M. (2008). Where Vaccine doubt persists. Cable News Network Retrieved from http://www.CNN.com/2010/Health/10/20/why.not.vaccinate/index.html
Article (2008). Vaccines for Adopted Children. National Network for Immunization Information (NNii) Retrieved from http://www.immunizationinfo.org/issues/general/vaccines-adopted-children
Hello Fawn, I enjoyed reading your blog on immunization. We as educators have a strong feeling about immunization and how it affect our students.
ReplyDeleteFawn, I liked reading your information on immunization and I feel that it is very important for the growth of children to be immunized to protect them and others.
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ReplyDeleteFawn, I learned a lot from reading your blog. I did not know that twenty-one states let children come to school without being vaccinated. This amazes me because I strongly believe young children should get vaccinated early. Our children are vulnerable to these life threatening diseases. As a early childhood professional, I am going to continue to educate our parents and request they get their children vaccinated early.
ReplyDeleteInteresting facts about linking autism to child vaccinations. Another set of facts on making it optional to children who will attend head-start. Immunizing children is very important to limit what kinds of exposure to other viruses.
ReplyDeleteI also choose Immunizations to focus on, and reading your blog helped to expand on what i had learned from my research.
ReplyDeleteI agree the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.