This article reviews the epidemiology of the ongoing Rubeola Virus, a highly contagious and serious viral infection that is one of the leading causes of childhood morbidity and mortality, even though a cost-effective and safe vaccine is available (World Health Organization, 2017). There is an ongoing debate in Australia, of whether children should be vaccinated against this virus. Many parents fear the harm the vaccination will do to their children and some even doubt the professional integrity and authority the medical experts have. This paper seeks to focus on the “vaccination concerns of families with children/adolescents and proved a clear insight into vaccination debate” (Health article assessment, 2017). It is hoped that this study will inform many parents about the risks, epidemiology, and vaccination control of the Rubeola virus.
Keywords: Rubeola, epidemiology, vaccination, Measles, control, infection, Australia, debate
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Measles are more prevalent among young children as their immune systems are underdeveloped and caused “approximately 134200 deaths in 2015 especially those under the age of 5” (World Health Organization). Under the CDC vaccination guidelines, it is recommended children are to get two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccines. The first does at 12 through 15 months of age and the second does at 4 through 6 years of age (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Following these guidelines resulted in a 79% drop in measles deaths in the past 15 years (Worlds Health Organisation, 2016). In 2005 and 2007 hospitalisation due to measles were recorded the lowest in Australia with only “3% parents not immunising their children due to religious of philosophical reasons” (N. Martin, R. Foxwell, 2009). The WHO are currently trying to eliminate measles worldwide mainly through
The first Measles vaccination was introduced in 1963, the improved upon in 1968. During the years of 1967 and 1968, a vaccination for Mumps and Rubella was also introduced. The three vaccines were combined in 1971, and called the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine (Immunization Action Coalition, “Measles: Questions and Answers”). One dosage of the MMR vaccination was proven to protect about 90-95% of children, then in 1989 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decided to change the dose from one to two, raising the percent of children protected to about 97% (National Network for Immunization Information (NNii), “Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)”). The CDC reported that 95% percent of children receiving their first dose of the MMR vaccine between the ages of 12 months and 15 months become immune to measles, mumps, and rubella after this initial dose. Those not becoming immune after the first does become immune after the second dose given between ages four years old and six years old (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Vaccines”). Thanks to these changes made measles, mumps, and rubella have become nearly eliminated in the United States. However, to ensure that these diseases do not spread from countries not vaccinating, it is important that we continue with our current program. While the MMR vaccination is the safest way to ensure that we do not have an outbreak, the vaccination has been a source of controversy over the years. At one time, the MMR vaccine was thought to be unsafe because not only does it overwhelm your immune system, but also the vaccine contained toxic additives, and was thought to be linked to Autism. Studies have since pro...
The current living situation of the children and family members and their access to health care services including transportation method, health insurance, financial concerns, and other economic constraints.
“Vaccinations are causing a major upsurge in childhood diseases, adult maladies, and even deadly ailments such as Gulf War Syndrome and Lou Gehrig’s disease” (Blaylock). Every now and then an individual’s doctor calls telling them about the latest vaccine they should receive. The person immediately schedules a time to come in and get it done. But do they even give a second thought about it? Have they ever thought that maybe they do not need another vaccination? Many people have not taken the time to seriously think about the process of immunization. The truth is, there are many dangers that the average person should be unaware of. Rarely do vaccines actually accomplish what the public has been told. In fact, a lot of vaccines contain harmful substances that have been linked to disorders such as autism. The lack of education and dishonesty from doctors are putting people in danger of health problems without even realizing. Many parents feel obligated for their children to get vaccinated because of school, not knowing they have the alternative option of refusing immunization.
In the article,” Childhood Immunization Controversies: What are Parents Asking?” Dr. Daniel R. Bronfin gives s thorough history and current evaluation of child immunizations. Dr. Bronfin breaks down several different childhood immunizations from Smallpox to measles. During his break down of each of the common diseases, he gives a history, how they developed a vaccine, and how the effects of the vaccine is currently working. Dr. Bronfin wrote this article to educate parents to the benefits of immunization.
For example, in China, the measles vaccine consisting of two doses was first introduced in the National Expanded Program on Immunization. The Zhejiang provincial EPI program noticed that measles was beginning to decrease due to the vaccine, while mumps and rubella was still spreading. This is when the MMR vaccine was introduced and implemented. By 2007 the second dose of MV was replaced by the MMR vaccine. Following this development the rate of measles reached a historical low in 2011 due to the vaccine produced by the EPI. Not only did the cases of measles decrease but so did the cases of rubella with the introduction of the combined vaccine (He, n.p.). Additionally, a record 9,120 cases of pertussis were reported in California in 2010 the most since 1947. A study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics was done to determine how this disease was spreading. Their results showed that among other factors the large amount of unvaccinated children in one area was a major contributor to the clusters of pertussis. There was a strong correlation between communities with a large number of unvaccinated children and pertussis outbreaks in California. This could have been avoided due to the fact that pertussis is a vaccine-preventable disease. The importance of vaccines can be seen through the results of this study, which show that parents intentionally avoiding the
Holding children’s hands while crossing the road, buckling them up in the car, and teaching them to stay away from strangers, are all important when it comes to child safety. But what about vaccinations? It is necessary that each child be properly vaccinated for many reasons, but most importantly for their health and well-being. With the help of vaccinations, many diseases have been eradicated and many lives have been saved. If parents do not properly vaccinate their children, health issues and other complications will arise for everyone, leading to a higher disease and death rate worldwide.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has listed immunizations as the number one greatest public health achievement in the 20th century. This attainment towards the goal of health and safety is a huge success for not only our country but from the global perspective as well. Immunizations help to prevent illness and death from vaccine-preventable diseases. The World Health Organization states that global vaccination coverage has remained consistent for the past few years; for example, the percentage of infants fully vaccinated against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis has held secure at 83%. Programs for population-wide vaccinations have helped with the annihilation of polio in America since the late 1970’s, the eradication of smallpox, and the control of numerous other infectious diseases in the United States and other parts of the world.
Despite the doctors’ reassurances and mounting evidences about the safety and value of immunization, many parents are still wary about getting their children injected. Some even opposed it because they fear that the vaccine itself is not benign. It is often considered unnecessary in many cases because the illnesses don’t pose a big threat to the child’s life. However, others point out that they help eradicate many contagious illnesses and prevent many deaths. For example, polio and smallpox, once killed thousands of children, are eliminated because of the use of vaccines. There were many studies conducting to show whether it can trigger serious reactions and disorders. In 1998, Andrew Wakefield published an observation of 12 children that linked the measles, mumps, and rubella combination vaccine with intestinal problems which he believed led to autism. Once people heard this news, they become alarmed. However, many large studies had been conducted and found no association between the t...
Vaccines are very effective in defending children from infectious disease. Although there has been tremendous success in achieving population based childhood immunization programs, more and more parents have chosen to delay the registration or even refuse to vaccinate their children at all (Diekema, 2012, p. 391). People are starting to challenge the necessity, safety and tolerability of vaccinations because the public attention has been diverted from the decreasing incidence of disease to the ambiguous risks of side effects of vaccines (Heininger, 2009, G9). Despite its outstanding performance in preventing diseases, maintaining high level of vaccination coverage needs public understanding as well, particularly the acceptance of parents
Experts agree that immunization is a big part of staying healthy and is considered one of the most tremendous public health accomplishments of the 20th century (Immunize for Good). According to the Immunize for Good Organization in Colorado, “In one year, vaccines prevent more than 8,500 child hospitalizations in Colorado, 33 thousand deaths in U.S., and between two and three million deaths worldwide.” “Nationally, 91.5 percent of children ages nineteen to thirty five months received at least one does of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in 2014” (Cleveland.com). These statistics alone portray that vaccinations are key to keeping not only one person individually healthy but everyone around healthy as
For parents, hearing their children cry is like a stab to their heart. The restless nights are full of anguish for the parents, and pain for a child with measles. This disease, and many like it, can be completely eradicated simply by taking children to get vaccinated. Throughout history, plagues and diseases have jeopardized civilizations and cultures. Modern medicine now provides protection against these diseases; it is a shame some parents still refuse this life saving aid. Vaccinations should be mandatory because they help keep our children, communities and future generations safe; they also provide the possibility of a world without Human Papillomavirus, whooping cough and other
Vaccinations have significantly reduced the disease rate throughout the world. Usually, vaccines prove to be between 90 and 99 percent effective. This reduces disease and mortality rate by thousands every year (Jolley and Douglas 1). On average, vaccines save the lives of 33,000 innocent children every year (“Vaccines” 1). In addition, if a vaccinated child did contract the vaccine’s targeted illness, that child would, in general, have more mild symptoms than an unvaccinated child that contracts the same illness. These vaccinated children will have less serious complications if they do contract the disease; they will be much more treatable, and have a lower risk of death (Jolley and Douglas 2). The risks of not vaccinating greatly outweigh the small risks of vaccination. Diseases like measles and mumps can cause permanent disability. While there i...
“Childhood vaccines are one of the great triumphs of modern medicine. Indeed, parents whose children are vaccinated no longer have to worry about their child's death or disability from whooping cough, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis, or a host of other infections.” (Ezekiel J. Emanuel, 1). Vaccines helped humanity for many years in eliminating illnesses that disfigured, disabled and a lot of times took lives away. Children who do not get vaccinated not only risk themselves by being an easy target for diseases they also, harm everyone around them. In the end, today's children are the fuel of the future. Every parent should think carefully before taking any chance that may harm the coming generation.
Vaccines are becoming increasingly hazardous for many children and parents are not being informed about the safety of their children. Current reports are linking vaccines to serious life-threatening disorders such as asthma, autism, immune system dysfunction, and mental retardation (Williams). These recent revelations are causing an increasing amount of people to claim religious and medical exemptions from vaccines. From 1999 to 2006, exemptions have more than doubled from 9,722 to 24,919 (Cronin). It is very clear that vaccinations are posing many problems for parents everywhere. Each day researchers are finding out about vaccines and are realizing that there are a lot more risks than benefits. Dr Phillip F. Incao explains: “Today, far more children suffer from allergies and other chronic immune system disorders than from life-threatening infectious disease. It is neither reasonable nor prudent to persist in presuming that the benefits of any vaccination outweigh its risk” (qtd in Spaker). While infectious diseases are becoming uncommon there is no need for any person to get vaccinated.
Despite the important and positive benefits of vaccinations, some people believe that vaccinating their children can cause serious health problems. Psychological, social, and cultural factors can also play a role in the parents’ decision in whether or not they wish to vaccinate their child (M. Ruijs., 2012). I feel that is it personal responsibility of all parents to vaccinate their children. Despite any pain or discomfort that a child may experience from the given injections, vaccinations are in the best interest of the child. It is very important to vaccinate children as it will protect them against many serious and potentially fatal diseases. Vaccinations are fast acting, harmless to the recipient, and extremely effective.