Immunization – my thoughts

We want to be healthy and safe.  We make sure to wash our hands, cough into our elbows, and use tissues (hopefully).  If/when we do fall sick; we take care to stay away from others, visit a doctor, and take any needed medications.  We also have immunizations to help prevent harmful and deadly diseases. Immunizations have helped to eradicate many diseases in many places in the world. Because of immunizations, millions of people do not need to worry about what seem like long-forgotten diseases such as polio or measles.  Many diseases have now become preventable and treatable.  Unfortunately, many countries of the world still do not have access to immunizations and vaccinations.  Organizations like UNICEF and WHO are working every day to help bring immunization programs and education to countries that still struggle with eradicating these “long-forgotten” diseases.  According to the WHO, “Every year more than 10 million children in low- and middle-income countries die before they reach their fifth birthdays. Most die because they do not access effective interventions that would combat common and preventable childhood illnesses” (WHO, 2012).  In Africa, goals have been established, between the WHO, governments, and religious leaders, to reach 80% coverage in 48 countries for immunizations. Millions of children’s’ lives in Africa are being saved do to this global outreach.  During the years of 2001 - 2005 an outbreak of Polio throughout Africa and Asia occurred due to a suspension of immunizations in Nigeria. With the help of major efforts from WHO, funding and distribution for vaccinations were reestablished and Polio, once again, became a preventable and controllable disease.

I feel strongly about the need for immunizations because of the crisis that happened in Nigeria.  Although, it was the country’s leader’s choice to stop immunizations, it ultimately impacted the health of millions beyond the borders of Nigeria. On a much, much smaller scale, I am aware that parents can make the choice to not immunize their child, but that decision could lead to their own child, or other children, falling ill to a preventable disease.   It is unsettling to know that parents would make this choice without thinking about the full implications behind it…there are significant reasons why these vaccinations were created and are required.  I am thankful to know that schools in the United States require proof of immunizations before a child can enter school.  This does not only keep the child safe, but also supports the safety for all the children and adults who that child will come into contact with throughout their schooling experience.  I understand that there are families who still make the choice to not vaccinate their child and go through the proper paperwork and procedures, I just hope that because of their choice, the health and safety of their own child, or that of another child, is not compromised.  

An evaluation of infant immunization in Africa: is a transformation in progress? (2012).  Retrieved from http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/6/06-031526/en/