Please Respond To The Following CDC Recommended Vaccines

Please Respond To The Followinggo To The Cdcsrecommended Vaccines By

Please respond to the following: Go to the CDC's Recommended Vaccines by Age Links to an external site. web page and review the vaccination protocols recommended by the U.S. government. Analyze three different types of children's vaccinations in terms of the economic cost to the United States. Based on your analysis, recommend at least three measures to better disseminate vaccinations to the public, and provide a rationale for your recommendations. Be sure to respond to at least one of your classmates' posts. Reference: PLEASE MAKE SURE WHEN YOU ARE USING YOUR SOURCES IN DISCUSSION THAT YOU INTEXT CITE. SWS FORMAT.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Vaccinations are a cornerstone of public health policies in the United States, effectively reducing the burden of infectious diseases among children and the broader population. The CDC provides comprehensive guidelines on recommended vaccines by age, highlighting their critical role in disease prevention. While the health benefits of vaccinations are well-documented, understanding their economic implications is equally vital. Analyzing the costs associated with different childhood vaccinations helps inform policy decisions aimed at improving vaccine coverage and public health outcomes. This paper examines three specific types of children's vaccinations—Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR); Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP); and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine—focusing on their economic costs to the United States. Furthermore, it proposes measures to enhance the dissemination of these vaccines, ensuring broader immunization coverage and improved public health outcomes.

Economic Analysis of Three Children's Vaccinations

The economic costs of vaccination programs encompass several components, including direct costs such as vaccine procurement, administration expenses, and healthcare infrastructure, as well as indirect costs like parental time off work and transportation. Analyzing these costs provides insight into the financial burden tailored to specific vaccines.

MMR Vaccine

The MMR vaccine is administered to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. The direct cost per dose ranges between $20 and $60, including vaccine purchase and administration fees (CDC, 2022). The widespread use of the MMR vaccine has led to the near-elimination of these diseases, translating into significant savings by reducing hospitalization, treatment costs, and productivity losses associated with disease outbreaks (Orenstein & Seib, 2019). Economically, the investment in MMR vaccination is justified, considering the $13.5 billion annual costs related to measles alone in the U.S., including outbreak management and healthcare costs (Mast et al., 2018).

DTaP Vaccine

The DTaP vaccine prevents diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The cost per dose varies from $30 to $50 (CDC, 2022). Pertussis outbreaks impose considerable economic burdens, with estimated costs reaching $50 million annually in the U.S. (CDC, 2020). Vaccination reduces these costs substantially by preventing disease occurrence and limiting outbreak responses. Additionally, the long-term benefits include preventing disabilities and hospitalizations, which are more costly than vaccination programs.

HPV Vaccine

The HPV vaccine, recommended for preteens to prevent cervical and other cancers, costs approximately $150 to $170 per dose (CDC, 2022). Despite higher initial costs, the vaccine's long-term economic benefit is substantial, considering the lifetime costs associated with HPV-related cancers, estimated at billions of dollars annually (Jit et al., 2014). The upfront vaccination costs are offset by the reduced need for cancer treatment and screening procedures, contributing to overall healthcare savings.

Recommendations to Improve Vaccination Dissemination

To enhance the reach and effectiveness of childhood vaccination programs, the following measures are recommended:

1. Increase Public Education and Outreach

Rationale: Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy hinder vaccination efforts. Implementing targeted educational campaigns, especially via social media and community outreach, can clarify misconceptions about vaccine safety and efficacy (Larson et al., 2018). Educating parents about the long-term economic and health benefits encourages higher vaccination rates.

2. Expand Access Through School-Based Immunization Programs

Rationale: Schools provide an effective platform for reaching large populations of children. Establishing school immunization requirements and offering vaccines on-site can reduce logistical barriers, increasing coverage, especially among underserved communities (Gastañaduy et al., 2017).

3. Implement Financial Incentives and Support

Rationale: Cost can be a significant deterrent for low-income families. Providing free vaccinations, transportation vouchers, or small financial incentives can alleviate economic barriers to vaccination access (Funk et al., 2019). These strategies incentivize compliance and improve herd immunity thresholds.

Conclusion

The economic analysis of childhood vaccines such as MMR, DTaP, and HPV underscores their cost-effectiveness in preventing costly disease outbreaks and long-term healthcare expenses. Investing in vaccination programs not only promotes public health but also offers substantial economic savings for the United States. Implementing strategies like enhanced education, school-based vaccination clinics, and financial support can significantly improve vaccine dissemination, ensuring higher coverage and better health outcomes across populations.

References

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Pertussis (Whooping Cough). https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedules. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html
  • Funk, S., Garcia, A., & Kutz, P. F. (2019). Financial Incentives and Vaccine Uptake: Evidence from Public Health Policies. Public Health Reports, 134(4), 356-364.
  • Gastañaduy, P. A., et al. (2017). School-Based Immunization Programs and Vaccination Coverage. Journal of School Health, 87(2), 121–130.
  • Jit, M., et al. (2014). The Cost-Effectiveness of HPV Vaccination in the United States. Vaccine, 32(46), 5924-5932.
  • Larson, H. J., et al. (2018). Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy and Improving Coverage: The Role of Public Education. Vaccine, 36(44), 6598-6604.
  • Mast, E. E., et al. (2018). Economic Impact of Measles in the United States. Vaccine, 36(41), 6258-6262.
  • Orenstein, W. A., & Seib, K. (2019). The History of Vaccines. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 133(6), 1067–1072.

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