This week, I chose to focus on the issue of child immunization. There are so many rumors floating around the media recently about how immunizations can cause autism in children. However, none of these rumors have been proven to be true. Immunizations were created to help prevent the spread of life-threatening illnesses. Unfortunately, access to these immunizations is limited to families that can afford them and are most commonly administered in modern countries.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, my doctor asked me if I was planning on immunizing my daughter. Without hesitation, I responded yes. My opinion is that if these vaccinations are available and they can prevent my daughter from getting any of these life-threatening illnesses, then it was my responsibility as a parent to make sure that she was vaccinated. My brother-in-law and his wife do not share my beliefs. They have chosen not to vaccinate their daughter. It worries me because whenever my daughter is sick with a common cold or such, I make sure that she is not around her cousin because I fear that my niece may get a harsher illness. I understand that some people choose not to vaccinate their children because of religious or cultural beliefs and that is okay. However, I believe that vaccines should be made available to any parent who wants their child vaccinated, regardless of cost.
A study was performed in India that reviewed the vaccination records of children who were hospitalized. Of the children surveyed, most of the children were considered either partially vaccinated or not vaccinated at all. The children who were not vaccinated made up the largest amount of the children who were present at the hospital. Parents in India said that they did not vaccinate their children because they were either unaware of the availability of the vaccines, claimed the vaccines had side-effects, or did not believe that the vaccines worked at all. It is our responsility to educated these individuals about the availability of vaccinations and the importance of administering them to all children.
Tiffany
Source:
Kumar, D., Aggarwal, A., & Gomber, S. (2010). Immunization status of children admitted to a tertiary-care hospital of north india: Reasons for partial immunization or non-immunization. Journal Of Health, Population, & Nutrition, 28(3), 300-304.
Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad that some parents who want to have their children immunized cannot always afford it and yet others who can get the immunizations for free choose not to take advantage of the opportunity.
I too wish that immunizations were available for all parents who want them. I had all 3 of my children immunized as they were growing up as I saw it as a very important and easy way to prevent some very serious illnesses.
Thanks for sharing this information.
Hi Tiffany,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the importance of immunizations for children. Missing necessary shots can result in fatal illness and/or birth defects. It's vital that information is available so parents can understand the importance of prevention and how the shots help. Have a wonderful weekend
Rosalind
Tiffany.thank you for sharing your experience. Sometimes I feel that people tend to take the importance of immunization for granted. In America some people tend to fear that vacinations will lead to other disabilites but that train of thought is usually unfounded. More people need to understand that vacinations help more than they harm.
ReplyDeleteHi, Tiffany
ReplyDeleteImmunizations are really important. I also think it is ashame if parents don't take time to get their child immunization shots. Most school here will not allow students to start school unless there immunizations are current. It keeps them healthy and that is what's best. The well being of the child is the factor and is the key to public health. I also think it is AWESOME that we have places like the local health department to do immunizations for free.