1 Immunization Importance and Barriers Moore and Barriers ImmunizationElaine Importance ADN 254-663 Dr. Karim November 30, 2022 Elaine Moore ADN 254-663 Dr. Karim November 30, 2022 2 Immunizations Importance and Barriers Introduction Immunizations are some of the best things that this century has to offer. Immunizations are a great medical advancement of this century. Many avoidable afflictions that would affect nations like the plague are nonexistent in this day in age due to vaccinations. Afflictions such as the plague are nonexistent today due to immunizations. Vaccinations are required for most educational facilities and recommended for infants. The topic was selected due to the recent uptick in the news media and amongst health care providers (HCP) about the rise of previously eradicated diseases brought on by anti-vaccine movements. This paper will discuss the current recommendations for immunizations, appropriate immunization schedules, their importance, and how they affect change. This project/presentation includes evidence-based information cited and referenced throughout. Presentation The overall goal of this presentation is to give accurate and concise information regarding routine immunizations so the audience can take my formatted information and use it to establish which immunizations are given through the child’s lifespan. My audience is guardians who are responsible for the child’s primary care, including immunizations. Literature Review Smallpox is highly contagious, and immunization is recommended. Smallpox has been around for thousands of years (Tegnell et al., 2002). Immunization for smallpox has been around for two hundred years; however, it has been more than twenty years since regular immunizations have been given. (Tegnell et al., 2002). Herd immunity (HI) is the explanation behind no longer providing smallpox immunization. HI is a term used to describe a high proportion of the population that has immunity to a disease due to high numbers of persons that have received the vaccination for said disease (Tegnell et al., 2002). This indicates that HI works to eradicate infectious diseases- further stressing that vaccinations should be administered. Therefore, if society received recommended vaccinations, preventable diseases would be a part of the past. 3 This segways into barriers preventing immunization. There are multiple reasons why guardians choose not to immunize. The primary reasons are wealth status, place of residency, access, specifically the ‘mother’s’ educational background, and surprisingly the gender of the child plays a role in the rate children are fully immunized (Faisal et al., 2022). Issues of wealth influence, directly and indirectly, because many low-income or impoverished communities do not have access to reliable transportation (Faisal et al., 2002). This factor alone can diminish a family’s opportunity to immunize. Another hurdle is residency; depending on if families live in rural vs urban areas can, directly and indirectly, influence families completing immunization (Faisal et al., 2022). Mothers that live in rural areas have more time to devote to their children’s wellbeing, and they have fewer employment commitments compared to women who live in urban areas. Urban mothers are often left with the harsh reality of prioritizing a career over family (Faisal et al., 2002). Faisal et al., (2002) talked about educational background, finding that when women have a higher educational background, like a bachelor’s degree or better, they are more knowledgeable and conscious of the importance of immunizations, compared to their lesseducated counterparts (Faisal et al., 2002). Another interesting variable, many cultures give preference to the male child over the female child (Faisal et al., 2002). The same study given in China discovered that young females were more likely to complete their immunizations than males were (Faisal et al., 2002). The immunization adherence depends on what sample population is being surveyed. The anti-vaccination movement is primarily an American concern. The Journal of Community Health wrote an article about physicians making decisions to vaccinate based on unfounded or non-evidence-based information (Smith et al., 1999). This article states that physicians chose not to adhere to the guidelines of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, the United States Public Health Service, or the American Academy of Pediatrics (Smith et al., 1999). The article mentioned that many physicians would choose not to immunize due to minor illnesses like mild diarrhea, with or without a fever (Smith et al., 1999). It is evident that opportunities for immunization are missed because physicians view mild illness 4 as a contraindication. Smith et al., (1999) stated that providers surveyed had deficits in both contraindication knowledge and immunization schedules. Objectives, Content, Strategies, and Evaluation At the conclusion of this presentation, guardians will understand the schedule and importance of immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), (2022) has an easy-toread schedule on its website that is free, easy to follow, and printable in both color and grayscale. The website is www.cdc.gov. and the specific reference is below. Evaluation of learning can be completed using the teach-back method, having the guardian explain the content in their own words to ensure understanding. Evaluation can also be completed by asking the guardian questions, such as ‘Where do you go for an updated and accurate vaccination list?’, and ensuring they understand the CDC is the correct response. An additional educational service that is free to the public and easily used is a nurse hotline which gets you in touch with a plethora of different specialty nurses that are standing by the phone at (800)980-5794, 24/7. The website is www.medicalcityhealthcare.com. Conclusion In conclusion, guardians can cluster immunization appointments when possible. Families with multiple children can use the same physician and schedule appointments for the same day. This option also saves parents from having to make additional co-payments. It is important that children are immunized and given the opportunity to have preventative care, which is the primary goal. 5 References Centers for Disease Control. (2022). Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/child-adolescent.html Faisal, S., Zahid, F. M., Kamal, S., Shahzad, K., Seidu, A.-A., & Ahinkorah, B. O. (2022). Modeling the Factors Associated with Incomplete Immunization among Children. Mathematical Problems in Engineering Medical City Healthcare. (2017) when-you-need-free-247-medical-advice-ask-a-nurse https://www.medicalcityhealthcare.com/blog/entry/when-you-need-free-247-medicaladvice-ask-a-nurse Smith, S. W., Connery, P., & Knudsen, K. (1999). Immunization practices and beliefs of physicians in suburban Cook County, Illinois. Journal of Community Health, 24(1), 1–11 Tegnell, A., Wahren, B., & Elgh, F. (2002). Smallpox—eradicated, but a growing terror threat. Clinical Microbiology & Infection, 8(8), 504–509. doiorg.libproxy.ssc.edu/10.1046/j.1469-0691.2002.00525.x
