Has your child been vaccinated and protected against harmful diseases? Childhood immunization plays an enormous role in the health of our children today. “Nearly everyone in the U.S. got measles before there was a vaccine, and hundreds died from it each year. Today, most doctors have never seen a case of measles” (“What Would Happen If We Stopped Vaccinations,” 2014). Thanks to many years of immunization, the incidence for diseases such as polio, measles, and tetanus has been rare. The importance of these childhood vaccinations is to help protect against and provide immunity against major infectious diseases. Childhood immunization begins at birth and continues until the age of 18. As of now, there are 69 doses of 16 essential vaccines that
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Not everyone is aware of the importance of childhood immunization and refuse to have their children immunized. As discussed from the Cochrane Community, “…many children do not get vaccinated. There are a number of reasons for this, including lack of knowledge about vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccinations, and where to access health services as well as poor access to vaccination services” (The Cochrane Collaboration). Educating patients and families about why it is so important to get children vaccinated and protected against potentially infectious diseases is key and may enhance their desire to manage their immunization status and to find help. Being able to address misconceptions and concerns about immunizations can also make a difference. From the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, Anderson (2015) concludes, “Research supports the concept that primary-care providers can promote acceptance of vaccination in most hesitant parents” (p. …show more content…
According to a Child Health USA 2014 Issue, a study presents discrepancies of race and level of income in receiving immunizations, “Non-Hispanic Black 19- to 35-month-olds were less likely than non-Hispanic White children to receive the full recommended series (65.0 and 72.1 percent, respectively)… Among children with household incomes of 100 percent or more of poverty, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children had lower rates of vaccination than non-Hispanic White children (70.2 and 69.1 versus 74.9 percent, respectively)” (Immunizations: Early Childhood, p.78). The study showed that children of Black and Hispanic origin are less likely to be fully vaccinated than those of White origin. A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report verifies that, “With few exceptions, vaccination coverage was significantly lower for children living below the federal poverty level compared with those classified as at or above the poverty level… (71 vs 80 percent)” (Hill et. Al, 2015, p.892). It is up to the health care provider to implement strategies for increasing childhood immunization, especially in diverse
Not everyone is aware of the importance of childhood immunization and refuse to have their children immunized. As discussed from the Cochrane Community, “…many children do not get vaccinated. There are a number of reasons for this, including lack of knowledge about vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccinations, and where to access health services as well as poor access to vaccination services” (The Cochrane Collaboration). Educating patients and families about why it is so important to get children vaccinated and protected against potentially infectious diseases is key and may enhance their desire to manage their immunization status and to find help. Being able to address misconceptions and concerns about immunizations can also make a difference. From the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, Anderson (2015) concludes, “Research supports the concept that primary-care providers can promote acceptance of vaccination in most hesitant parents” (p. …show more content…
According to a Child Health USA 2014 Issue, a study presents discrepancies of race and level of income in receiving immunizations, “Non-Hispanic Black 19- to 35-month-olds were less likely than non-Hispanic White children to receive the full recommended series (65.0 and 72.1 percent, respectively)… Among children with household incomes of 100 percent or more of poverty, Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children had lower rates of vaccination than non-Hispanic White children (70.2 and 69.1 versus 74.9 percent, respectively)” (Immunizations: Early Childhood, p.78). The study showed that children of Black and Hispanic origin are less likely to be fully vaccinated than those of White origin. A Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report verifies that, “With few exceptions, vaccination coverage was significantly lower for children living below the federal poverty level compared with those classified as at or above the poverty level… (71 vs 80 percent)” (Hill et. Al, 2015, p.892). It is up to the health care provider to implement strategies for increasing childhood immunization, especially in diverse