Immunization is a key part of health programs in many nations. It is responsible for almost and in some cases fully eliminating certain diseases. Immunization is simply giving an individual a milder version of a virus so their body can build up immunity to it by developing antibodies for that disease (Berger, 2012). This ensures that if the real virus attacks their body their body will already have antibodies that can fight off the disease (Berger, 2012). It is incredible that with just a couple of injections a variety of diseases can be prevented or diminished within a population (Berger, 2012). Immunization is a preventative measure which can save a country millions that they would otherwise have to spend on people with diseases. It is unfortunate that some children do not have access to immunization and die from diseases which could easily have been prevented.
Jamaica’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) has been praised for being one of the best in the world by a representative of Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) (Ministry of Health, 2012). EPI started in Jamaica in 1977 and has helped to greatly decrease infant mortality rates. Before the program’s inception “the infant mortality rate from infectious diseases including vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, polio, neonatal tetanus, tuberculosis, diphtheria, bacterial meningitis and pneumonia was very high at some 51 per 1000 live births in the 1960s and 32 per 1000 live births in the 1970s.” In April 2012 the infant mortality rate was 21 per 1000 live births. “The last case of polio was in 1982, the last case of locally transmitted measles was in 1991, the last case of diphtheria was in 1995 and the last case of rubella (German measles) was in 2000” (Ministry of Health, 2012).
This information helped me to see how effective immunization can be if it is implemented and how much of a difference it can make in infant mortality rates. In the future I will spread information about the benefits of immunization to young children. If possible I will try to arrange for a medical team to come into my school and immunize and or check the immunization record of each child annually.
References:
Berger, K. S. (2012). The developing person through childhood (6th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Ministry of Health. (2012). Jamaica’s Immunization Program Lauded as Among the Best in the World. Retrieved from http://www.moh.gov.jm/general/latestnews/1-latest-news/513-jamaicas-immunization-programme-lauded-as-among-the-best-in-the-world
Hi Karina, I wrote about the importance of immunization too. I was interested to read about Jamaica and the progress they have made toward wiping out infant mortality. I found the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website helpful. Their website is http://www.cdc.gov/globalhealth/immunization/
ReplyDeleteHi! The information about immunizations in Jamaica was enlighting and pleasing to know that immunization has had a positive affect. I am happy to live in a country were immunizations are available for all infants. I appreciate you sharing the information you found.
ReplyDeleteI also chose immunization because I have known people on both sides that immunizations cause autism and they do not. According to the Mayo Clinic (n.a), vaccines do not cause autism. "Despite much controversy on the topic, researchers haven't found a connection between autism and childhood vaccines. In fact, the original study that ignited the debate years ago has been retracted" (Mayo Clinic, n.a., par 2).
ReplyDelete"Although signs of autism may appear at about the same time children receive certain vaccines — such as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine — this is simply a coincidence" (Mayo Clinic, n.a., par 3).
Mayo Clinic. (n.a.). Infants and Toddlers: Childhood Vaccines. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaccines/CC00014
Hey Karina,
ReplyDeleteI've learned that if a child is not vaccinated and is exposed to a disease germ, the child's body may not be strong enough to fight the disease. Before vaccines, many children died from diseases that vaccines now prevent, such as whooping cough, measles, and polio.
Its interesting that those same germs exist today, but babies are now protected by vaccines, so we do not see these diseases as often.
Thanks for sharing your information