I chose to research and talk further about child immunizations. This topic is important to me both personally and professionally. When I had my son, I knew without a doubt that I wanted him to receive his immunizations. My cousin had a boy four months later and did not want her son vaccinated. Her mother and her were against the vaccines because they heard that they did more harm than good. Meaning they had heard the rumor that the MMR caused autism. I reassured them that research proved time and time again that MMR did not cause autism. I also informed her that him not receiving his vaccines would do more harm than good. My cousin did decide afterwards to have her son receive his immunizations. I also had a co-worker who was adamant that her three children were not going to receive immunizations because of them causing autism. They range from seven to four years old and none of them have received their immunizations. The irony is that one is autistic and the other two show tendencies. On a professional level, my job works closely with the NC Pre K program in our county. One of the program requirements is that children be current on their immunizations for health and safety reasons. This year we encountered a child who has all their immunizations but the MMR. They have a signed doctor's note saying that the parents refused for their child to receive this shot and have been counseled on the risks. We did admit that child into the program because of having the medical note. I am just glad that everyone else around this child at school has been immunized and can hopefully protect the child through the idea of herd immunity (Berger, 2012, p. 150).
Although our texts this week referred to the immunizations in other parts of the world, I chose to concentrate on the immunization practice in Japan. I was surprised by what I learned from the website Japan Healthcare Info. In Japan, there are two types of immunizations: routine and voluntary. Routine vaccines are required by law and include pollo, measles, rubella, and HPV. However due to side effects and infant deaths, the administration of the HPV vaccine has been suspended. These vaccines are free to everyone and can be given at the local health center or by appointment with a designated pediatrician. Voluntary vaccines are not required by law and include the flu, chicken pox, mumps, and hepatitis A and B. The cost of these shots vary depending on the shot the child is receiving. In order to have them administered, the parents have to contact a pediatrician or a private clinic (japanhealthinfo.com). I think it is interesting that some shots are required by law and others are not. In Japan they have split up the MMR shot into different categories. Whether or not parents are scared of their child becoming autistic, by law the children have to receive the measles and rubella portion. I need to do further research about autistic children in Japan. If the rates are equal to or lower than America's, it will be further proof for me to use with parents that the MMR does not cause autism.
This new research and knowledge can help me educate parents that the MMR does not cause autism. If the parents are still scared, I can talk with them like I did my cousin and show them how the benefits greatly outweighs the risk. I would also like to do further research into different countries that require the MMR or parts of it and compare it to their autistic rate. The more evidence I have, the more credible I can be when talking to parents.
Advocacy is a big part of what I want to with my professional life. I can use this new information and advocate for immunizations to be available to every child no matter where in the world he/she lives. I know that immunizations are spreading around the world but small and rural towns still do not have access to them. I want to help advocate to get the immunizations everywhere because it is so important that children have them to protect them from potential life threatening diseases.
References
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth
Publishers
Japan Healthcare Info. (n.d.) Vaccination. Retrieved from http://japanhealthinfo.com/child-health-
and-childcare/vaccination/
I definitely support vaccines in general but I admit that I avoid flue shots and don't like to rush out and jump in the bandwagon for newer vaccines. I prefer to see longer term studies. Case in point The Gardisil founder (HPV Vaccine) voicing her opinion that the vaccine is a scam and does not show evidence of preventing cancer. She also states it is unnecessary as 1 out of 4 women develop HPV and their body typically rids itself of the virus within a year. the cancer is very rare. I have held off on this one for my daughter. What are your thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about not wanting to jump on the newer vaccines until I have seen the outcomes as well. The ones I do recommend on the ones that have been around and proven such as the the usual that they give children. With today's pharmaceuticals, I am hesitate. It seems to me more of an industry to make money than to truly help people but I could be wrong as well. I admit I usually do not get the flu shot every year because I do not like shots. I'm a wuss.
ReplyDeleteMy true concern comes from the fact that we are at the mercy of the physicians, scientist, and pharmaceutical companies who sometimes financially benefit from one another. Years ago, I worked for a physician and learned a great deal that goes on behind closed doors in the medical world. It is very political and though the physician I worked for was a man of integrity, the same can't be said for everyone. A private donation can be made to a person who is suppose to be objective and before you know it, a new approved vaccine/drug is on the market and the company is making millions. SCARY!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHello Myra,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your passion about immunizations. Also your personal stories about close ones to you wanting to refuse because of the fear of autism. I like reading how you advocate for making sure children have immunizations to help keep them protected from terrible illnesses and diseases.
Thanks for sharing,
Tierra