Should I Get My Child Vaccinated?
Make an informed
choice…
This is a question many parents/guardians ponder as it is an
important choice and responsibility that you have been given.
All of the information on the Internet can sometimes be
overwhelming. Here you will find all the information you need to
make an informed decision knowing the information you will
receive has been gathered from multiple sources. The intent is to
provide you with non-biased information about vaccinations.
your child is worth
it!
When you have completed this module, you should feel
comfortable with the choice you have made for your child
regarding vaccinations.
Start
Should I Get My Child Vaccinated?
Topic 1: Know the basics of vaccinations
Topic 2: Possible side effects of vaccinations
Topic 3: Why vaccinations are recommended
Topic 4: Your right of choice: Exemptions
Topic 1 Start Slide 3
Topic 1: Know The Basics Of Vaccinations
Topic 1: Objectives
Lesson 1: What Are Vaccinations
Lesson 2: Vocabulary Commonly Used
Lesson 3: Common/Controversial Ingredients
Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice
Topic 1 Objectives Slide 4
Topic 1: Know The Basics Of
Vaccinations Objectives
By the end of Topic 1 you will be able to understand the basics of vaccinations. The goal
is for you to understand what vaccinations are at the most basic level so you can
understand the more controversial information later on in this course. This knowledge
provides the foundation for developing a clear choice when you complete this course.
The types of things you will learn in Topic 1 include:
 The difference of vaccinations, immunizations, and vaccines.
 The different ways vaccines are administered to children.
 Understand the various ingredients in vaccines.
 Agencies that regulate vaccinations.
 The effectiveness of vaccines.
Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 5
Lesson 1: What Are Vaccinations?
A vaccination is the use of vaccines to prevent specific diseases.
It is also defined as the introduction into humans or domestic animals of
microorganisms that have previously been treated to make them harmless for the
purpose of inducing the development of immunity.
What does this mean?
*Insert Video
Hover computer mouse over lower left hand
corner of box and press “play” button to find out.
Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 6
Ways Vaccines Are Administered
The most common way to administer a vaccine to a child is by
the injectable form, usually in the arm or thigh of the child.
There is a common alternative for administering a
influenza vaccine, which is by FluMist. This is given as
nasal spray made with an attenuated live virus. This is a
good option for children that don’t do well with needles.
Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 7
Vaccine Correct
Effectiveness: Pro Vaccinations
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most childhood vaccines are 90-99%
effective in preventing disease. It is still possible for children to get a disease after they
have been vaccinated for that disease; however, the symptoms should be milder compared
to children that haven’t received the vaccine. The risk of serious complications also
decreases immensely.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all vaccines must be licensed before
they are available to the public. Rigorous research and tests on vaccines happen before the
vaccine will be approved for a license by the FDA to ensure the safety and effectiveness.
The effectiveness of vaccines has been debated for years. You can find more
information on this from the links provided in the “resources” section of this
module.
Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 8
Vaccine Effectiveness: Pro Vaccinations
Epidemics for infectious diseases were common in the United States before vaccinations. These
epidemics killed thousands of people each year in the United States. Children were especially
susceptible. Here are some historical facts relating to the results of vaccines:

Before 1985, Hib caused serious infections in 20,000 children each year, including meningitis (12,000 cases)
and pneumonia (7,500 cases).


Before 1963, more than 3 million cases of measles reported. 90% of children had measles by age 15.


In 2002, there were 44 cases of measles
In 1952, polio paralyzed more than 21,000 people.


In 2002, there were 34 cases of Hib disease.
In 2002, there were no cases of polio in the United States.
In the 1920s, there were 100,000 to 200,000 cases of diphtheria each year and 13,000 people died from the
disease.

In 2002, there was only one case of diphtheria in the United States.
Source: National Network for Immunization Information
Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 9
Why Is A Vaccine Recommended
When A Disease Is Near Elimination?
Outbreaks of infectious diseases can still occur due to children who aren’t immunized and
children where the vaccine wasn’t effective. The elimination of vaccines will cause the diseases to
return.
• Children who are not vaccinated against measles are 35 times more likely than immunized
children to catch the disease. Ten years ago (during the 1989 to 1991 measles epidemic),
state health departments in the United States reported 55,622 measles cases, 11,251
hospitalizations, and 125 deaths. Research has shown that these epidemic numbers are
due to the fact that in some areas only 50% of preschool-aged children had received the
vaccine.
• Other countries do not have the same levels of immunization that we benefit from in the
United States. Therefore, we must all remain protected with vaccines because dangerous
diseases largely under control in the United States can still be contracted in countries
Americans travel to.
Source: National Network for Immunization Information
Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 10
Correct
Vaccine Effectiveness:
Against Vaccinations
The decline in disease over the past decades has been based on factors, such as better nutrition,
clean drinking water, improved sanitation, decreased overcrowding, and better living conditions.
Unless an epidemic of a particular disease arises in the United States, it is difficult to know if the
vaccine intended for the prevention of that disease will be effective.
A whooping cough epidemic occurred
in 2010 despite high rates of children
with the vaccination.
Insert Video
Hover computer mouse over lower left hand
corner of box and press “play” button to find out.
Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 11
Vaccine Effectiveness: Against Vaccinations
The graph to the right explains why
better nutrition and medical services
provided to children in 1944 was the
cause for the decrease of diphtheria
and not the vaccine, which was
distributed in 1940. The decline
continued after social and health
reforms in 1947-48.
Note: The graph includes statistics from England
and Wales…not the United States.
Source: Child Health Safety
Topic 1 Lesson 2 Slide 12
Lesson 2: Vocabulary Commonly Used
We know now what a vaccination is, but how is a vaccine different? You may notice that some
people will refer to these two terms as the same.
Vaccine: A preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated organisms, or living fully virulent
organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease.
•Virulent: Extremely dangerous and deadly and usually spreading very quickly.
•Attenuated: To make (something) weaker or less in amount, effect, or force. This would
be “non-virulent.”
Immunization: The process of building up immunity by taking a vaccine.
Topic 1 Lesson 3 Slide 17
Correct
Stop
And Think Exercise
Would the ingredient used in the process of developing vaccinations in this video be acceptable to you?
Do you agree with her assessment?
Insert Video
Hover computer mouse over lower left hand corner of
box and press “play” button to find out.
Topic 1 Practice Slide 20
Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice
There will be 10 questions in this practice you should answer before moving on to Topic 2.
Question 1: What is not one of the most common vaccine types given to children?
Answer by clicking on box.
Correct!
Live attenuated
Subunit
 Recombinant Vector
Killed (inactivated)
Click the forward button to move on to the next
question when you get the correct answer.
Topic 1 Practice Slide 21
Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice
Question 2: What agency researches and develops new vaccines and continuously evaluates
existing vaccines? Answer by clicking on box.
The National Institutes of
Health (NIH)
The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
The National Vaccine
Program Office
Click the forward button to move on to the next
question when you get the correct answer.
Topic 1 Practice Slide 22
Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice
Question 3: The measles vaccine was licensed in what year?
Answer by clicking on box.
1968
1964
1972
1966
Click the forward button to move on to the next
question when you get the correct answer.
Topic 1 Practice Slide 30
Sorry…Wrong Answer
Click
Click the forward button to move on to Topic 2 if you
have completed the 10 question practice test.
SORRY…WRONG ANSWER
SORRY…WRONG ANSWER
You Did It Slide 74
Correct
Congratulations
You have completed this module.
By now you should have a clear understanding of vaccinations and
are comfortable with your answer to…
“Should I Get My Child Vaccinated?”
Please continue for the sources used in this module, which you can check
out to get further information.
Sources Slide 75
Correct
Sources
Merriam-Webster online dictionary- http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vaccination
Online medical dictionary- http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Vaccination
Kid’s Health “Your Child’s Immunizations”- http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body/vaccine.html
Web MD explanation of FluMist- http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/flu-guide/questions-answers-nasal-spray-fluvaccine
YouTube “Vaccination - How Do Vaccines Prevent Illness - What Is Immunization” 22 May 2012https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=YbtYJv5XCE0
National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases. “Types of Vaccines” 03 April 2012http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vaccines/understanding/pages/typesvaccines.aspx#subunit
The History of Vaccines “Top 20 Questions about Vaccination”http://www.historyofvaccines.org/content/articles/top-20-questions-about-vaccination
Vaccine Awareness Network “The Herd Immunity Theory - Treating Our Children Like Cattle”http://www.vaccineriskawareness.com/The-Herd-Immunity-Theory-Treating-Our-Children-Like-Cattle