It’s a new week which means…a new topic! This week I was asked as a part of our blog assignment to choose one area of interest from the following topics:
Nutrition/malnutrition Immunization Access to healthy water Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) Breastfeeding Mental health of mothers, fathers, and families in general
Owning an Early Childhood Center and being in the heart of its function I see every single topic (with the exception of SIDS, thank goodness) and feel that each and every one of them are so important to a child’s development. For choice sake though I am going to focus a little on immunization. I feel that at times there is a lack of communication or overall education on the importance of immunizations for children. I often find myself, at least once a month, explaining to a parent what different immunizations do, what they prevent, and why they can be beneficial (ESPECIALLY if the child is enrolled in an ECE center or around a lot of other children). For Pennsylvania ECE centers are required to submit a copy of each child’s immunization record to the Department of Public Welfare and Health.
In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania they make it really difficult for a child to NOT receive immunizations. A few years ago legislation was passed that every child residing in the Common Wealth is entitled to health insurance from the state at little to no cost through ACCESS or CHIP. In the area I live in there are clinics that will give immunizations (those required to enter public school) at no cost. I do feel though, as I said earlier, that physicians often lack in communication when it comes to educating families about why this is so critical to get done. Just this year our area had an outbreak of whooping cough, a few years back it was the swine flu, and I can even remember a chicken pox outbreak. I know everyone has a different thought on why these events occurred but one main one for children was a lack of obtaining the appropriate immunizations.
Even adults (those working with children especially) should have boosters done. They are available and if you walk into most clinics they can even give you a hand out for an adult immunization schedule. Adults can be carriers of some really horrible illnesses (pertussis!). By protecting yourself you can protect the little ones as well.
Immunizations in another country:
I think it is relatively common knowledge that Africa is a pretty depressed country in terms of childhood immunizations or immunizations in general. The WHO organization and UNICEF have been working feverishly to improve on this but it is still at a general 69% for those receiving just the DTP vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis). Most deaths (about 10 million!) are due to a lack of childhood vaccines. Prevention is so so so important!
References:
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/6/06-031526/en/
I also think immunization is important, to protect ourselves and others. I'm thinking of going for a whooping cough booster myself. There are so many organizations out there trying to vaccinate children around the world, particularly in third world countries, to ensure a healthy future for the children. We have an annual campaign at our school where children receive their booster shots. We have found that sitting with the children on our laps and distracting them while they are being immunized has lessened the crying a lot.
ReplyDeleteI agree that children should be immunize to prevent deadly disease. However, what happens when a parent disagree that their child should have to undergo immunization. Do they have that right? Countries who suffer from poverty, lack education, and have limited resources or no access to immunization suffer the most.
ReplyDeleteSteffanie,
ReplyDeleteThat is a very hot topic. First and foremost parent's have the say in their child's health. As a mother myself, I would be offended at the thought of someone forcing me to do something for my child that I was against. I think a lot of it comes down to education. Give families the correct tools to make INFORMED/EDUCATED decisions. After that if they still feel they do not want their child vaccinated we have to respect that.