[Introduction: Provides an overview and defines the subject selected by the group]
By Andrea Clark
In May of 1796, an experiment was performed by Dr. Jenner which ended up developing the first vaccine. Smallpox, a worldwide pandemic at the time, was responsible for wiping out massive amounts of people. Through Dr. Jenner’s success and massive vaccination efforts, smallpox has been eradicated almost completely. Ever since Jenner’s discovery, governments have kept an open mind towards the vaccination industry. This year alone, The American government spent about $1.6 billion on the production of the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccinations have been a popular choice for the prevention of specific diseases. They quickly arose to be seen as a necessity and in the nineteenth century both Europe and North America made smallpox vaccinations virtually compulsory necessities. Ever since then more and more immunizations have been added to the list for children to receive in order to attend public schools. Ironically, though, as vaccines have become more commonplace, they have lost some of their allure.
After creating compulsory vaccination laws, people started an anti-vaccination movement. People protested that it was an intrusion to their privacy and bodily integrity. This movement is still ongoing. There are a lot of religious beliefs that immunizations should not be done. Many believe that it should be their right to decide whether or not their child should be immunized. Since the major push for immunizations and their safety to children, schools require that children receive certain vaccitions, such as MMR, and Hepatitis B, in order to attend their programs. Many argue that this practice is inhumane and that schools shouldn’t have the right to mandate it.
Immunizations have been a big part of modern medicine. Vaccines have been credited of wiping out many contagious diseases and saving lives. A lot of people in this country think of immunizations as mandatory, but there have been a growing number of people who oppose the idea. From the start of vaccines there has been controversy of whether or not they are needed. Natural healers believe that the body’s immune system is capable of developing immunity to a disease to which it is exposed. This reasoning is why they believe that vaccinations are just an assault on the body. For example, instead of naturally catching a virus, immunizations just inject it directly into our bloodstream. This bypasses the natural defense mechanisms of the body. In the last ten years people began to connect different diseases to vaccines. Studies have correlated that certain toxins found in vaccines have been linked to autism, cancer, ADHD, SIDS, MS, and many others.
There is a lot of information about immunizations in the media. There are a lot of benefits to immunizing infants and children, but there are, of course, risks. As with all medical procedures the benefits and risks must be weighed. Practice guidelines offer a lot of information about what we as nurses need to know about the issue and how we can educate our patients without bias.
Source:
Stern, A.M., & Markel, H. (2005). The History of vaccines and immunizations: familiar patterns, new challenges . Health Affairs, 24(3), Retrieved from http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/full/24/3/611
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Immunizations: Risks and Benefits. Are they good? Are they bad? What?!
[Identify the health benefits of the subject selected by the group]
[Identify the health risks associated with the subject selected by the group]
By Karim Hackler
There are both minor and serious side effects that have been seen with immunizations. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) as mandated by the Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 review the information of adverse reactions to vaccinations and write a detailed report and give recommendations on vaccinations. The report details which populations should get vaccinated for certain vaccines and which populations shouldn’t.
There are some vaccines that should not be given to pregnant women or women who are considering becoming pregnant within the next 3 months for the theoretical risk of fetal infection. It is routine to ask women before vaccinating them if they may be pregnant and excluding them if they confirm that they might. Children who have febrile illnesses should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered from the acute phase of the illness.
Hyper sensitivity reactions are rare with vaccinations and most of them are minor and usually consist of a rash or wheal and flare around the site of injection. Anaphylactic reactions are very rare, but have been reported with certain vaccinations. Children and adults who are immunocompromised with diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, generalized malignancy or who are receiving therapy with alkylating agens, antimetabolites, radiation or large doeses of corticosteroids should check with their physician before receiving any vaccinations due to the possibility of infection and death.
Other vaccinations often will cause a local reaction that consists of erythema and induration which may or may not be accompanied by tenderness at the site. There may also be a nodule felt that may last for several weeks and very rarely sterile abscesses occur. Frequently there are mild systemic reactions characterized by fever, drowsiness and anxiety. Infrequently moderated to severe systemic events with a high fever, persistent, inconsolable crying, collapse and short-lived convulsions will occur and also reported rarely are more severe neurologic events such as acute encephalopathy have been reported. These reactions appear to be more common in children with a serious acute neurologic illness.
Vaccinations have had many positive effects on society. Because of vaccinations the eradication of smallpox was possible. A disease that during the 20th century was responsible for an estimated 300-500 million deaths was eliminated. Vaccinations have also been responsible for making what once were common childhood diseases such as Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella and others, uncommon. This immunity that has been provided to many members of society has reduced mortality of the population and helped to make society more productive.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control. (1996). Update: vaccine side effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, and precautions recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (acip) . Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 45(12), 1-35.
Barquet N, Domingo P (1997). Smallpox: the triumph over the most terrible of the ministers of death. Ann. Intern. Med. 127 (8 Pt 1): 635–42.
[Identify the health risks associated with the subject selected by the group]
By Karim Hackler
There are both minor and serious side effects that have been seen with immunizations. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) as mandated by the Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 review the information of adverse reactions to vaccinations and write a detailed report and give recommendations on vaccinations. The report details which populations should get vaccinated for certain vaccines and which populations shouldn’t.
There are some vaccines that should not be given to pregnant women or women who are considering becoming pregnant within the next 3 months for the theoretical risk of fetal infection. It is routine to ask women before vaccinating them if they may be pregnant and excluding them if they confirm that they might. Children who have febrile illnesses should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered from the acute phase of the illness.
Hyper sensitivity reactions are rare with vaccinations and most of them are minor and usually consist of a rash or wheal and flare around the site of injection. Anaphylactic reactions are very rare, but have been reported with certain vaccinations. Children and adults who are immunocompromised with diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma, generalized malignancy or who are receiving therapy with alkylating agens, antimetabolites, radiation or large doeses of corticosteroids should check with their physician before receiving any vaccinations due to the possibility of infection and death.
Other vaccinations often will cause a local reaction that consists of erythema and induration which may or may not be accompanied by tenderness at the site. There may also be a nodule felt that may last for several weeks and very rarely sterile abscesses occur. Frequently there are mild systemic reactions characterized by fever, drowsiness and anxiety. Infrequently moderated to severe systemic events with a high fever, persistent, inconsolable crying, collapse and short-lived convulsions will occur and also reported rarely are more severe neurologic events such as acute encephalopathy have been reported. These reactions appear to be more common in children with a serious acute neurologic illness.
Vaccinations have had many positive effects on society. Because of vaccinations the eradication of smallpox was possible. A disease that during the 20th century was responsible for an estimated 300-500 million deaths was eliminated. Vaccinations have also been responsible for making what once were common childhood diseases such as Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella and others, uncommon. This immunity that has been provided to many members of society has reduced mortality of the population and helped to make society more productive.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control. (1996). Update: vaccine side effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, and precautions recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (acip) . Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 45(12), 1-35.
Barquet N, Domingo P (1997). Smallpox: the triumph over the most terrible of the ministers of death. Ann. Intern. Med. 127 (8 Pt 1): 635–42.
Ensuring that you stay safe is critical in our development of care.
[Identify and summarize current relevant practice guidelines applicable to the subject selected by the group]
By Matthew Davis
If you could take a moment to look at this video before you proceed, it may help you understand this blog post a little bit more clearly:
VIDEO from CDC on Infant Immunizations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntc4Iv2xgtA
Nursing practice guidelines are essential in standardizing, organizing, and ensuring vaccines are administered safely and effectively. Provided by the Center for Disease Control and the Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, these practice recommendations include the most recent up to date standards expected of health care professionals, a complete list of approved vaccinations to be given in the US by the FDA, the infant immunization schedule, administration guidelines, documentation, managing reactions, and how to report potential adverse outcomes. It is also important as a health care professional, to become familiar with your agency’s policy on infant immunizations as they may differ from these recommendations.
The standards of practice expected of health care professionals when dealing with immunizations of children and adolescents include, “ensuring the availability of vaccines, assessment of the vaccination status, [providing] effective communication about vaccine benefits and risks, ensuring proper storage, administration, and documentation of vaccines; and implementing strategies to improve vaccination coverage” ("Recommendations and guidelines," 2009).
It is important to be aware of the legal vaccinations that have been approved by the FDA as well as their product name, trade name, and their sponsor.
This can be accessed here:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM093833
The infant immunization schedule listed through the Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases provides information on particular vaccines, what age certain vaccines should be implemented, and dosage timing. For the infant, which is age one month to twelve months, many vaccines are recommended to prevent some serious diseases that can be received at this early age such as hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), pneumococcal infections, polio (inactivated polio virus/IVP), influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis A. For the infant, most receive their first hepatitis B shot within twelve hours or before they are discharged from the hospital. The second dose is recommended at one to two months and the third for six to eighteen months. Four other vaccines including rotavirus, DTAP (combination vaccine of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), Hib, and IPV are given at intervals of two, four, and six months; making three doses total. The DTAP’s fourth dose can be given at twelve months if the third dose was given six months prior and the fourth dose of Hib can given between twelve and fifteen months. Other vaccines include a yearly general influenza shot given starting at six months, a single dose of MMR (combination of measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella at ages twelve to fifteen months, and a single dose of Hepatitis A at twelve to twenty three months. Below is the link to the chart with specific details listed:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/data/125/1/195/DC1/1
Administration guidelines aid health care professionals in making certain that five rights of medication administration are implemented.
- Right patient
- Right vaccine
- Right dose
- Right route
- Right time
Other considerations include the right needle size and that the vaccine is being given for the right reason, ensuring that consent has been given by the legal caretakers of the infant, education has been provided with benefits and risks discussed, and that it has been ordered by a practitioner.
An in depth vaccination administration guideline provides information on patient preparation, pain control, infection control, vaccine preparation, strategies to prevent medication errors, doses, anatomical pictures for routes, needle size, subcutaneous and intramuscular injection technique, special considerations such as giving multiple injections in one arm; dealing with bleeding disorders, latex allergy, syncopal or vasovagal response (fainting), anaphylaxis, and documentation ("Vaccine administration guidelines," 2009).
Correct technique is imperative when giving an infant an intramuscular injection. For a newborn (the first twenty eight days of life) a 22-25 gauge 5/8’’ long needle should be used and for an infant a 1’’ long needle can be used. The injection should be given into the vastus lateralis on the infant’s thigh. The preference for this site is mainly because it is a muscle large enough to accommodate the amount of medication and is not too close to any nerves or major blood vessels. Other sites, such as the gluteal and deltoid muscles, are not recommended for reasons including, “the dorsogluteal muscle is very small, poorly developed, and dangerously close to the sciatic nerve which occupies a larger portion of space in infants than in children… [and] the newborn’s deltoid muscle has an inadequate amount of muscle for intramuscular administration” (Perry, p. 663).
An example of a immunization record form is listed below and includes information to document the patient name, birth date, chart number, type of vaccine, date given, source, site, vaccine lot number, and signature of the vaccinator ("Vaccine administration record," 2008).
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2022.pdf
Adverse reactions are rare but should be anticipated. The following article describes what to do in minor swelling, bleeding situations to supplies needed when dealing with anaphylactic shock in which epinephrine administration is indicated based on weight.
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3082a.pdf
Whenever adverse reactions occur, it needs to be documented and reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System by email or by phone - 800-822-7967.
http://vaers.hhs.gov/index
References
Complete list of vaccines licensed for immunization and distribution in the us. (2010, March 5). Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM093833
Perry, S., Hockenberry, M., Lowdermilk, D., & Wilson D. (2010). Maternal child nursing care. Maryland Heights, MI: Mosby Elsevier.
Recommendations and guidelines: standards for immunization practices. (2009, April). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/rev-immz-stds.htm
Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0 through 6 years. (2010). Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/data/125/1/195/DC1/1
Vaccine administration guidelines. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/D/vacc_admin.pdf
Vaccine administration record for children and teens. (2008, February). Retrieved from http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2022.pdf
Vaccine adverse event reporting system. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://vaers.hhs.gov/index
By Matthew Davis
If you could take a moment to look at this video before you proceed, it may help you understand this blog post a little bit more clearly:
VIDEO from CDC on Infant Immunizations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntc4Iv2xgtA
Nursing practice guidelines are essential in standardizing, organizing, and ensuring vaccines are administered safely and effectively. Provided by the Center for Disease Control and the Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, these practice recommendations include the most recent up to date standards expected of health care professionals, a complete list of approved vaccinations to be given in the US by the FDA, the infant immunization schedule, administration guidelines, documentation, managing reactions, and how to report potential adverse outcomes. It is also important as a health care professional, to become familiar with your agency’s policy on infant immunizations as they may differ from these recommendations.
The standards of practice expected of health care professionals when dealing with immunizations of children and adolescents include, “ensuring the availability of vaccines, assessment of the vaccination status, [providing] effective communication about vaccine benefits and risks, ensuring proper storage, administration, and documentation of vaccines; and implementing strategies to improve vaccination coverage” ("Recommendations and guidelines," 2009).
It is important to be aware of the legal vaccinations that have been approved by the FDA as well as their product name, trade name, and their sponsor.
This can be accessed here:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM093833
The infant immunization schedule listed through the Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases provides information on particular vaccines, what age certain vaccines should be implemented, and dosage timing. For the infant, which is age one month to twelve months, many vaccines are recommended to prevent some serious diseases that can be received at this early age such as hepatitis B, rotavirus, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib), pneumococcal infections, polio (inactivated polio virus/IVP), influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, and hepatitis A. For the infant, most receive their first hepatitis B shot within twelve hours or before they are discharged from the hospital. The second dose is recommended at one to two months and the third for six to eighteen months. Four other vaccines including rotavirus, DTAP (combination vaccine of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), Hib, and IPV are given at intervals of two, four, and six months; making three doses total. The DTAP’s fourth dose can be given at twelve months if the third dose was given six months prior and the fourth dose of Hib can given between twelve and fifteen months. Other vaccines include a yearly general influenza shot given starting at six months, a single dose of MMR (combination of measles, mumps, and rubella) and varicella at ages twelve to fifteen months, and a single dose of Hepatitis A at twelve to twenty three months. Below is the link to the chart with specific details listed:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/data/125/1/195/DC1/1
Administration guidelines aid health care professionals in making certain that five rights of medication administration are implemented.
- Right patient
- Right vaccine
- Right dose
- Right route
- Right time
Other considerations include the right needle size and that the vaccine is being given for the right reason, ensuring that consent has been given by the legal caretakers of the infant, education has been provided with benefits and risks discussed, and that it has been ordered by a practitioner.
An in depth vaccination administration guideline provides information on patient preparation, pain control, infection control, vaccine preparation, strategies to prevent medication errors, doses, anatomical pictures for routes, needle size, subcutaneous and intramuscular injection technique, special considerations such as giving multiple injections in one arm; dealing with bleeding disorders, latex allergy, syncopal or vasovagal response (fainting), anaphylaxis, and documentation ("Vaccine administration guidelines," 2009).
Correct technique is imperative when giving an infant an intramuscular injection. For a newborn (the first twenty eight days of life) a 22-25 gauge 5/8’’ long needle should be used and for an infant a 1’’ long needle can be used. The injection should be given into the vastus lateralis on the infant’s thigh. The preference for this site is mainly because it is a muscle large enough to accommodate the amount of medication and is not too close to any nerves or major blood vessels. Other sites, such as the gluteal and deltoid muscles, are not recommended for reasons including, “the dorsogluteal muscle is very small, poorly developed, and dangerously close to the sciatic nerve which occupies a larger portion of space in infants than in children… [and] the newborn’s deltoid muscle has an inadequate amount of muscle for intramuscular administration” (Perry, p. 663).
An example of a immunization record form is listed below and includes information to document the patient name, birth date, chart number, type of vaccine, date given, source, site, vaccine lot number, and signature of the vaccinator ("Vaccine administration record," 2008).
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2022.pdf
Adverse reactions are rare but should be anticipated. The following article describes what to do in minor swelling, bleeding situations to supplies needed when dealing with anaphylactic shock in which epinephrine administration is indicated based on weight.
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3082a.pdf
Whenever adverse reactions occur, it needs to be documented and reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System by email or by phone - 800-822-7967.
http://vaers.hhs.gov/index
References
Complete list of vaccines licensed for immunization and distribution in the us. (2010, March 5). Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/UCM093833
Perry, S., Hockenberry, M., Lowdermilk, D., & Wilson D. (2010). Maternal child nursing care. Maryland Heights, MI: Mosby Elsevier.
Recommendations and guidelines: standards for immunization practices. (2009, April). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/rev-immz-stds.htm
Recommended immunization schedule for persons aged 0 through 6 years. (2010). Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/data/125/1/195/DC1/1
Vaccine administration guidelines. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/D/vacc_admin.pdf
Vaccine administration record for children and teens. (2008, February). Retrieved from http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2022.pdf
Vaccine adverse event reporting system. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://vaers.hhs.gov/index
It’s O.K. to be concerned, but let’s be real!
[Discuss the challenges facing maternal-child nurses who are caring for the patients applicable to the subject selected by the group]
By Brent Edwards
Imagine a world where consumers knew all about the latest developments in preventative health. Such is the struggle in a nurse’s paradigm. Nurses have evolved from the traditional bed-side care manner who simply takes doctor’s orders, to health care providers whose ulterior focus is preventative health. With all the evidence revolving around the benefits of infant immunizations, it’s any wonder why everyone doesn't receive them. Well, as posted in the previous section, there are inherit risks, just like there would be in any drug, to immunizations. The benefits, however, far outweigh the risks. A once accepted wide skepticism demonstrating that perhaps autism and vaccinations were linked in 1998, has now been retracted by the same group who conducted the original study. To read more about that particular situation, you can visit this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/health/research/03lancet.html
When the benefits trump the risks of vaccinating your child, why is it people are still reluctant to get them? Nurses play a tremendous role in advocating immunizations for all families who are expecting children. Vaccinations can help fight against or prevent a number of diseases, such as: chickenpox, croop, diphtheria, measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV, influenza, meningitis, mumps, pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, rubella, shingles, tetanus, and yellow fever. Many people believe that if they simply show up to their doctor’s office when they’re sick then they’re doing their part. It’s not like vaccinations are a new trend in fitness or a recommendation for healthy eating, so people unbeknownst just live their lives like they normally would. Additionally, many have the philosophy that since most vaccinated protected diseases no longer exist in the U.S. then it’s pointless to receive them. Well, that reasoning is unsound and flawed. The reason they DON’T exist is because people do get vaccinations. If you were to take the average amount of individuals living in the impoverished countries, and cross study them with individuals in America, you would find that the underserved countries are rampant with these diseases. These illnesses, unless cared for, can take their toll: here is an article posted by the CDC that discusses an outbreak of MMR in San Diego, CA , in 2008: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm57e222a1.htm
Nurses often find themselves struggling to convince mother’s to vaccinate due to the unreputable information that exists on the wide world web . I salute people that take charge of their healthcare and their families healthcare, but an ‘opinion’ is not a fact. Take this website for example: http://www.vaccineriskawareness.com/Why-I-Don-t-Vaccinate-My-Children. After typing into google, ‘Why mothers choose not to vaccinate their infants’, this was one of the first links to be listed. Most people may read this and become convinced that immunizations are harmful to their children, even when the health care provider says otherwise. Nurses and doctors then have to explain and convince mothers that vaccinations have been proven. Nurses shouldn’t lie to their patients, but simply stress the benefits over the risks. Even the CDC admits that “No vaccine is completely safe or effective.” Then yet again, how you define safe alters your perception of as well. Did you know that approximately 350 people die a year from taking baths? Would you consider taking a bath safe? Common sense can tell you that taking a bath is a lot safer than not taking a bath. Although 350 people die a year from not taking a bath, the inherit risks of not taking a bath are much worse because you’re opening yourself to a wide variety of diseases. Then wouldn’t vaccinations fall under the same logic? Vaccinations save millions worldwide. Could you imagine if vaccinations didn’t exist? The population of the world would probably be cut in half.
Where nurses and healthcare providers struggle to advocate infant
immunizations, is not because the evidence suggest otherwise; It’s because the rampant misinformation that circulates the media. People hear one study, and instead of doing the research on their own, are convinced. The other day, I heard that the fluoride in toothpaste is actually a carcinogen. Does this mean I’m going to stop brushing my teeth? Sure, I want to hear what you have to say, but say it from WAY OVER THERE! My advice is: Let’s leave the decision making of whether to get immunized or not into the hands of the professionals. Healthcare providers are trained and knowledgeable about the care you or your child receives. I’ve never known a healthcare provider who has gone out of his way to consciously hurt someone. Ultimately, it’s your choice. What you want to do is what you’re going to do, and I’m fine with that. Just remember, in terms of vaccinations, your choice, or your lack of choice, can affect and harm others, severely.
Sources:
Atkinson, W. L., Kroger, A. T., Marcuse, E. K., & Pickering, L. K. (2006, December 1). General Recommendations on Immunization: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Retrieved April 14, 2010, from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5515a1.htm
Harris, G. D. (2010, February 2). Journal Retracts 1998 Paper linking Autism to Vaccinations. Retrieved April 18th, 2010, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/health/research/03lancet.html
Theeten, H. (2007). Infant vaccination coverage in 2005 and predictive factors for complete or valid vaccination in Flanders, Belgium: an EPI-survey. Science Direct.
By Brent Edwards
Imagine a world where consumers knew all about the latest developments in preventative health. Such is the struggle in a nurse’s paradigm. Nurses have evolved from the traditional bed-side care manner who simply takes doctor’s orders, to health care providers whose ulterior focus is preventative health. With all the evidence revolving around the benefits of infant immunizations, it’s any wonder why everyone doesn't receive them. Well, as posted in the previous section, there are inherit risks, just like there would be in any drug, to immunizations. The benefits, however, far outweigh the risks. A once accepted wide skepticism demonstrating that perhaps autism and vaccinations were linked in 1998, has now been retracted by the same group who conducted the original study. To read more about that particular situation, you can visit this link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/health/research/03lancet.html
When the benefits trump the risks of vaccinating your child, why is it people are still reluctant to get them? Nurses play a tremendous role in advocating immunizations for all families who are expecting children. Vaccinations can help fight against or prevent a number of diseases, such as: chickenpox, croop, diphtheria, measles, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV, influenza, meningitis, mumps, pertussis, pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, rubella, shingles, tetanus, and yellow fever. Many people believe that if they simply show up to their doctor’s office when they’re sick then they’re doing their part. It’s not like vaccinations are a new trend in fitness or a recommendation for healthy eating, so people unbeknownst just live their lives like they normally would. Additionally, many have the philosophy that since most vaccinated protected diseases no longer exist in the U.S. then it’s pointless to receive them. Well, that reasoning is unsound and flawed. The reason they DON’T exist is because people do get vaccinations. If you were to take the average amount of individuals living in the impoverished countries, and cross study them with individuals in America, you would find that the underserved countries are rampant with these diseases. These illnesses, unless cared for, can take their toll: here is an article posted by the CDC that discusses an outbreak of MMR in San Diego, CA , in 2008: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm57e222a1.htm
Nurses often find themselves struggling to convince mother’s to vaccinate due to the unreputable information that exists on the wide world web . I salute people that take charge of their healthcare and their families healthcare, but an ‘opinion’ is not a fact. Take this website for example: http://www.vaccineriskawareness.com/Why-I-Don-t-Vaccinate-My-Children. After typing into google, ‘Why mothers choose not to vaccinate their infants’, this was one of the first links to be listed. Most people may read this and become convinced that immunizations are harmful to their children, even when the health care provider says otherwise. Nurses and doctors then have to explain and convince mothers that vaccinations have been proven. Nurses shouldn’t lie to their patients, but simply stress the benefits over the risks. Even the CDC admits that “No vaccine is completely safe or effective.” Then yet again, how you define safe alters your perception of as well. Did you know that approximately 350 people die a year from taking baths? Would you consider taking a bath safe? Common sense can tell you that taking a bath is a lot safer than not taking a bath. Although 350 people die a year from not taking a bath, the inherit risks of not taking a bath are much worse because you’re opening yourself to a wide variety of diseases. Then wouldn’t vaccinations fall under the same logic? Vaccinations save millions worldwide. Could you imagine if vaccinations didn’t exist? The population of the world would probably be cut in half.
Where nurses and healthcare providers struggle to advocate infant
immunizations, is not because the evidence suggest otherwise; It’s because the rampant misinformation that circulates the media. People hear one study, and instead of doing the research on their own, are convinced. The other day, I heard that the fluoride in toothpaste is actually a carcinogen. Does this mean I’m going to stop brushing my teeth? Sure, I want to hear what you have to say, but say it from WAY OVER THERE! My advice is: Let’s leave the decision making of whether to get immunized or not into the hands of the professionals. Healthcare providers are trained and knowledgeable about the care you or your child receives. I’ve never known a healthcare provider who has gone out of his way to consciously hurt someone. Ultimately, it’s your choice. What you want to do is what you’re going to do, and I’m fine with that. Just remember, in terms of vaccinations, your choice, or your lack of choice, can affect and harm others, severely.
Sources:
Atkinson, W. L., Kroger, A. T., Marcuse, E. K., & Pickering, L. K. (2006, December 1). General Recommendations on Immunization: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Retrieved April 14, 2010, from CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5515a1.htm
Harris, G. D. (2010, February 2). Journal Retracts 1998 Paper linking Autism to Vaccinations. Retrieved April 18th, 2010, from The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/03/health/research/03lancet.html
Theeten, H. (2007). Infant vaccination coverage in 2005 and predictive factors for complete or valid vaccination in Flanders, Belgium: an EPI-survey. Science Direct.
In conclusion......
[Discuss the group conclusion based and EBP guidelines and current research]
By Kenny Starling
After looking into current research and evidence based practice guidelines regarding infant immunization, we feel confident in recommending the practice of infant immunization. Although there are some slight risks that might arise with vaccinations, they occur with a very small percentage of the population. You are more likely to develop a serious medical condition from lack of vaccinations than from the vaccinations themselves; therefore the benefits outweigh the risks. Vaccinations have come a long way since their inception, and what was once considered somewhat risky is now considered very safe. If an infant has an underlying condition that is already putting stress on their immune system, they should consult a physician to determine if a vaccination is safe at that time. For a healthy child however, the stress of a vaccination on the immune system is minimal, and is generally not a concern. Current research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that following a regular immunization schedule is best practice, and ultimately maintains the health of the infant. A great example to demonstrate the benefits of vaccinations would be to look at smallpox. Smallpox was once considered a serious ailment, but due to vaccination efforts, smallpox has essentially been eradicated worldwide. Respectively speaking, America’s potential for an outbreak of vaccination preventable diseases is slim to none due to our prevention preparation. For instance, the flu pandemic of 1918, which is most notably known for annihilating 50-100 million individuals, is today, non-existent thanks to developed research in constructing vaccinations. However, diseases such as malaria, mumps, rubella, varicella, etc… still exist in countries that are underdeveloped. In essence, we are only as safe as we make ourselves be. Surely, if we disregarded vaccinations due to their rumored side effects, we’d be giving debilitating diseases a second opportunity of finding a way to destroy our immune systems.
Sources:
National Guideline Clearinghouse. (2010, April 19). Routine preventative services for infants and children (birth - 24 months). Retrieved from www.guideline.gov: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=15116&nbr=007411&string=infant+AND+immunizations
Park, A. (2008, May 21). How Safe Are Vaccines? TIME Magazine.
By Kenny Starling
After looking into current research and evidence based practice guidelines regarding infant immunization, we feel confident in recommending the practice of infant immunization. Although there are some slight risks that might arise with vaccinations, they occur with a very small percentage of the population. You are more likely to develop a serious medical condition from lack of vaccinations than from the vaccinations themselves; therefore the benefits outweigh the risks. Vaccinations have come a long way since their inception, and what was once considered somewhat risky is now considered very safe. If an infant has an underlying condition that is already putting stress on their immune system, they should consult a physician to determine if a vaccination is safe at that time. For a healthy child however, the stress of a vaccination on the immune system is minimal, and is generally not a concern. Current research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that following a regular immunization schedule is best practice, and ultimately maintains the health of the infant. A great example to demonstrate the benefits of vaccinations would be to look at smallpox. Smallpox was once considered a serious ailment, but due to vaccination efforts, smallpox has essentially been eradicated worldwide. Respectively speaking, America’s potential for an outbreak of vaccination preventable diseases is slim to none due to our prevention preparation. For instance, the flu pandemic of 1918, which is most notably known for annihilating 50-100 million individuals, is today, non-existent thanks to developed research in constructing vaccinations. However, diseases such as malaria, mumps, rubella, varicella, etc… still exist in countries that are underdeveloped. In essence, we are only as safe as we make ourselves be. Surely, if we disregarded vaccinations due to their rumored side effects, we’d be giving debilitating diseases a second opportunity of finding a way to destroy our immune systems.
Sources:
National Guideline Clearinghouse. (2010, April 19). Routine preventative services for infants and children (birth - 24 months). Retrieved from www.guideline.gov: http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=15116&nbr=007411&string=infant+AND+immunizations
Park, A. (2008, May 21). How Safe Are Vaccines? TIME Magazine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
