Vaccinations are a critical component to public health and
have significantly reduced the burden of infectious disease in the United
States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 27
different diseases are preventable today due to the development of vaccinations
(CDC, 2010). Furthermore, when a significant portion of a population is
vaccinated against a particular disease, individuals without immunity are
protected as well. This phenomenon is called herd immunity. In addition to health
benefits, vaccinations positively impact a society socially and economically. For
example, infected children miss school, which can result in lost work hours for
the parents, costly doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, and even premature death
in severe instances. The National Institution of health estimated that for
every dollar spent toward childhood vaccinations in 2005, the United States
saved a total of $16 in costs to society (NIH, 2010).
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| Decline in Measles since the development of Measles vaccine |
Despite the evidence showing the benefits of vaccinations, many
parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children. For instance, in the
2012-2013 school year, over 15,000 kindergarten children did not receive
vaccinations. Similarly, over 10,000 kindergartners from Illinois did not
receive vaccinations (CDC, 2013). Parents can choose to withhold vaccinations
from their children if they receive a waiver for opt out for religious or
philosophical reasons. Another reason why many parents chose to not vaccinate
their children most likely is a consequence of misinformation. The 1998 Lancet
article claiming a link between the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
and autism best exemplifies this. The article was retracted 12 years later
because the authors fabricated the data, failed to use controls groups, and
numerous subsequent studies discredit the findings (Godlee, Smith &Macrovitch, 2011). The damage to public health by the Lancet article in 1998
seems to have lasting affects to this day. Michigan has the fourth highest rate
in the country of parents choosing to withhold vaccinations from their children.
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| Doctor giving a child patient an injection |
References
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/whatifstop.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/vpd-list.htm
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/vaccines/understanding/pages/vaccinebenefits.aspx
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6230a3.htm
http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452
http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7452
This reminds me of a Law and Order SVU episode I saw where a young mother is assumed to have killed her child, but later turns out to be part of a measles outbreak, which the child had received from another mother not vaccinating her son. The mother of the son, who started the outbreak, is told to vaccinate her son. The mother refused to immunize him. I agree with you Josh, although vaccinations are a choice, communities should make a conscious effort to motivate parents and explain to them the pros and cons of their decisions. That way there is a chance that once non-existent diseases/illnesses don't resurface. Good job Josh!
ReplyDeleteAs a nanny for a physician family, I had a discussion with my employer regarding the fact that her two sons (8 and 6 year old) were not vaccinated. I was curious to know why would two medical doctors decided not to vaccinate their children. I assume that, due to them working in a hospital, they are more likely to be exposed to rare illnesses and carry them home with them. Just my opinion. Great Topic Josh.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the benefits of immunizations are well known, many families face barriers to receiving vaccines. No insurance coverage/high cost of vaccines, increasingly complex immunization schedules, not having a primary care provider, lack of education and increased attention on the potential adverse effects of vaccines prevent many children from receiving immunizations. In addition, if families struggle to secure basic necessities such as adequate food and housing meeting basic needs may be a bigger priority than ensuring children are immunized.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Kris brings up a great point about barriers to vaccine administration, the Vaccines for Children program in Michigan is able to address many of these barriers. Children who do not have insurance coverage are entitled to free vaccines. Pediatrician offices partner with the Michigan Department of Community Health in order to provide these vaccines to their patients. Instead of families having to make an extra trip up to the health department, the pediatrician office has a stock of vaccines available for this population. Also, medicaid tracks its members immunization history to ensure compliance. When I used to work at a pediatrics office, I would have to report to medicaid, patients who were behind in the immunization schedule. This would result in the family receiving reminders about the importance of vaccines and encouragement to schedule an appointment in order to stay in good standing with medicaid.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,4612,7-132-2942_4911_4914-169020--,00.html