Mary's One-Year-Old Daughter Is Due To Be Given The Measles
Marys One Year Old Daughter Is Due To Be Given the Measles Mumps An
Mary's one year old daughter is due to be given the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine during her next visit to the doctor. Mary is upset and concerned because one of her friend's sons became ill after a similar vaccination. She has also heard rumors that the MMR vaccine causes rubella. Mary was also told that her daughter will need to be vaccinated before she returns to work. Mary is not alone. Many parents face this issue. Therefore, it is important for Mary and all such parents to make decisions that are best for their children, based on facts and not emotions. Place yourself in the role of a health care worker, submit to the discussion area your plan to validate the importance of vaccination by addressing the following questions: Why are vaccinations necessary components of the healthcare programs? Are there reasons for people not being vaccinated despite such elaborate healthcare programs? Explain. What are the consequences of people not being vaccinated? What is the impact of religious, cultural, legal, and ethical issues that parents need to consider before vaccination? What type of information will help the parents make an informed decision about vaccinating their children? As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format. Your initial posting should be addressed at words. Be sure to cite your sources using APA format.
Paper For Above instruction
Vaccinations are a cornerstone of public health that have significantly contributed to the control and eradication of many infectious diseases worldwide. Their necessity in healthcare programs stems from their ability to protect individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases, which historically caused high morbidity and mortality rates. Immunization is not only essential for individual health but also for establishing herd immunity—a form of indirect protection that occurs when a significant portion of a population is immunized against a contagious disease, thereby reducing its spread and protecting those who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns or immunocompromised individuals (World Health Organization [WHO], 2020).
Despite the widespread benefits, some individuals choose not to vaccinate their children despite the availability of effective vaccines. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy or refusal vary and can include misinformation, cultural beliefs, religious objections, fears of vaccine side effects, or mistrust of healthcare systems and pharmaceutical companies (MacDonald, 2015). Misinformation, in particular, has been amplified by social media and misinformation campaigns, leading to misconceptions such as the erroneous link between the MMR vaccine and autism. Fear of adverse effects, whether scientifically substantiated or not, also plays a significant role in vaccine refusal.
The consequences of not vaccinating populations are severe. Low vaccination rates can lead to outbreaks of diseases that were previously controlled or eliminated. For example, measles, a highly contagious disease, can cause serious complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and death, especially in young children. When herd immunity diminishes due to vaccine hesitancy, outbreaks can spread rapidly, endangering vulnerable groups (Patel et al., 2019). Additionally, the resurgence of diseases like measles poses a significant burden on healthcare systems, leading to increased hospitalization costs and resource utilization.
Religious, cultural, legal, and ethical considerations deeply influence vaccination decisions. Some religious beliefs oppose vaccination based on doctrinal grounds, while cultural norms may affect perceptions of medical interventions. Legally, many countries mandate immunizations for school entry to ensure public health safety, though exemptions can exist for religious or philosophical reasons (Omer et al., 2019). Ethically, balancing individual autonomy against societal protection raises dilemmas, particularly when personal beliefs oppose scientific recommendations. Respecting parental rights while safeguarding community health requires careful navigation of these issues.
Providing parents with accurate, evidence-based information is crucial to enable informed decision-making. Educational efforts should address common misconceptions about vaccine safety and efficacy, explain the scientific basis of immunization, and highlight the risks posed by preventable diseases. Transparent communication, including discussions about side effects and the rigorous processes for vaccine approval, can build trust. Healthcare providers should also acknowledge and respect cultural and religious beliefs while conveying the importance of vaccination for individual and public health (Freeman et al., 2016).
In conclusion, vaccinations play a vital role in disease prevention and health promotion globally. Addressing concerns and misconceptions through clear, respectful communication is essential for improving vaccination uptake. Ensuring access to accurate information and understanding the diverse factors influencing parental decision-making will help protect children and communities from preventable diseases, ultimately strengthening public health initiatives.
References
Freeman, B., Loe, B. S., Chadwick, L. C., & Cowan, G. (2016). Vaccine communication and addressing vaccine hesitancy. Vaccine, 34(51), 6447-6451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.10.063
MacDonald, N. E. (2015). Vaccine hesitancy: Definition, scope and determinants. Vaccine, 33(34), 4161-4164. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.04.043
Omer, S. B., Yaktine, A. L., & Wang, S. (2019). Vaccine exemptions—Rethinking policies. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(8), 683-685. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMp1808294
Patel, M., Lee, A. D., Redd, S. B., et al. (2019). Increase in measles cases — United States, January 1–April 26, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 68(17), 402–404. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6817a1
World Health Organization. (2020). Immunization coverage. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/immunization-coverage