Download Week 3 assignment

Zahra Abdalla
584-Community Health
Dr. Kelly
March 22, 2015
Public health concern is to improving the health of population through promotion,
prevention and to eliminate systematic inequalities (CDC foundation, 2014). For modern public
health Immunization/vaccinations are one of Ten Greatest Public Health Achievement. The
health of the population was improved and morbidity was decrease through vaccination (CDC,
1999). Vaccination is one of the cost-effective health intervention, and the federal, state, and
local government ensured that the system of vaccine delivery is continued (CDC, 1999).
Vaccination is critical for all ages especially children entering kindergarten. For children
entering kindergarten there are six vaccines that are required that are required in all 50 states.
The six vaccines include the Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, Rubella,
Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib),Hepatitis B (Hep B), and Varicella (chickenpox).
Although it varies which vaccine children entering kindergarten should receive first, it is
required all 50 states children receive the above shots before enrolled to Kindergarten
(ProCon.org, 2015).
Diphtheria is very important preventing children and adults from Diphtheria diseases. If
person is not vaccinated against Diphtheria, individual can have health consequence such as
breathing problem, heart failure or even death at some cases. Tetanus is a serious bacterial
infection that causes painful muscle tightening and stiffness. It is estimated that one out every 5
people who are infected with tetanus dies. Pertussis is causes whooping cough, which can than
lead to difficulty of sleeping, and breathing problem. Pertussis can also lead to pneumonia or
even death. Both Diphtheria and pertussis are contagious and spread person to person
(MedlinePlus, 2014, Vaccines.gov, (n.d). Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis are serious diseases
caused by bacteria, and it is recommended children receive 5 dozes before entering kindergarten
(Vaccines.gov, (n.d).
Polio is infectious disease that affects an individual's nervous system and it is caused by a virus
found in human’s organs especially the intestinal tract and throat. If not vaccinated it can occur
at any age and can even result in permanent paralysis in the legs and death. I can see how
important polio vaccination is important, because it can lead to disability. Back in Africa it was
common to see people who are crippled by polio because there was no vaccination available
against polio (MedlinePlus, 2014, Vaccines.gov, (n.d).
Mumps is another contagious disease along with Measles. Mumps is a respiratory disease and
is caused by a mumps virus and it affects the salivary glands and might cause swollen glands.
Mumps is common in children, Mump causes headache and stiff neck, and swollen jaw. Mumps
is common in infants, children and young adults, anyone who is not vaccinated against is
susceptible of getting mumps (MedlinePlus, 2014, Vaccines.gov, (n.d).
Measles is serious disease and it is highly infectious, and its symptoms include fever, rash,
cough, painful red eyes and even ear infection (MedlinePlus, 2014). Measles is common in the
developing countries, and worldwide it kills close to two-hundred thousand people each year.
Measles is transmitted through sneezes, and droplets spray into the air and person who is not
vaccinated against is susceptible inhaling through their nose or throats. When a child is not
vaccinated against measles and gets the disease, that child has to stay home at least 10 days,
which causes issues for the parents and as well as for the child (MedlinePlus, 2014,
Vaccines.gov, (n.d).
Rubella is caused by rubella virus, rubella virus lives in the mucus, nose, and throat and it is
mostly common in young children. Rubella is high contagious because it spreads through
sneezing and coughing. For children symptoms of rubella virus included fever and
rashes(through whole body), and also has symptoms similar to cold (MedlinePlus, 2014,
Vaccines.gov, (n.d). The rubella disease causes serious health consequences for both children
and pregnant women. If the mother is not vaccinated against in early pregnancy there is higher
chance that baby will be born heart defects, mental retardation, and deafness (CDC, 2011). Also
if the mother becomes infected her chance of having miscarriages and given birth a child with
congenital rubella syndrome is high (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014).
To protect against diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella disease, it is required children
receives Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination before they enter school age and in some
cases before that child is born a mother recieves (Vaccines.gove,(n.d).
Since we are living in advance country, Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), is no longer a
concern diseases, but what happens when parents chose not to vaccinated their children against
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR). Couple years back, a doctor name Wakefield made visit to
East African community living in Europe and here in the United States, a rumor that MMR
vaccination causes autism among the East African ( Somali)children had spread within the
community (Wakefield, 1998). Because majority of East African community already fear the
Western health care system, the false implication that MMR causes autism has created conflict
for the community and health care professionals.
Working with the disadvantaged population especially East African community, I had difficult
time promoting immunization especially: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), due the cultural
belief that MMR vaccination causes autism. It was challenging and still is educating this
community about the importance of getting their children vaccinated especially MMR and that
there is no link between MMR and autism.
Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) is a very serious bacteria, if not vaccinated against
it can cause infection of the brain and the spinal cord, pneumonia, severe throat infection. Similar
to rubella Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) disease is spread through coughing or sneezing
and through contact with mucus or droplets from the nose and throat of a person with
Haemophilus influenzae disease. Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib) can lead to serious brain
infection children especially young children around the age of kindergarten (MedlinePlus, 2014,
Vaccines.gov, (n.d).
Hepatitis B (Hep B) is another important vaccination that is recommended for children
even before they enter kindergarten. Hepatitis B virus is transmitted through mother -to-child
during birth, direct contact with blood of an infected person. It is recommended children receive
Hepatitis B vaccination at early age because the concern if the mother is infected the virus can be
spread to the baby during birth (MedlinePlus, 2014, Vaccines.gov, (n.d).
Varicella also known as chickenpox the recommended dose for children especially those entering
kindergarten. Varicella is a disease caused by varicella zoster virus. Varicella symptoms include
uncomfortable itchy rash in the whole body, and fever. The varicella virus is highly contagious
and can spread quickly from infected person to unvaccinated person.
It is sometimes difficult to outweigh the benefit of immunization versus the health risk associated
with it because there are always two side apposition, those who are for vaccination and those
who are against. The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) is a non-profit which prevent
vaccine injuries by educating the public about risks and failures associated with vaccination.
National Vaccine Information Center also advocate for people to make informed vaccine
decision. According to NVIC, vaccination can cause brain and immune system damage. I am a
public health educator and social worker and growing up back home I have seen what lack of
immunization from diseases such as polio, and chickenpox can do to people especially children.
However, I also think people have the right to be informed about immunization and they should
have the choice to decide whether to vaccinate their children or not.
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (1999). Achievements in Public Health,
1900-1999 Impact of Vaccines Universally Recommended for Children. Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).48(12); 243-248
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). Chapter 15: Congenital Rubella Syndrome.
Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/chpt15-crs.html
CDC foundation. (2014). What is Public Health? Retrieved from
http://www.cdcfoundation.org/content/what-public-health
MedlinePlus .(2014).Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine, Polio, Measles, Mumps,
Rubella, Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib),Hepatitis B (Hep B), and Varicella.
Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a607027.html
National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC). (2014). Vaccinations? Know The Risks And
Failures.Retrieved from http://www.nvic.org/vaccines-and-diseases/Vaccinations--Knowthe-risks-and-failures-.aspx
ProCon.org. (2015).State-by-State: Vaccinations Required for Public School Kindergarten.
Retrieved from http://vaccines.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=005979
Vaccines.gov. (n.d).Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine, Polio, Measles, Mumps,
Rubella, Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib),Hepatitis B (Hep B), and Varicella.
Retrieved from http://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/polio/index.html
Wakefield A, Murch S, Anthony A et al. (1998). "Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, nonspecific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children". Lancet 351 (9103): 637–41.