Introduction
- Educational and anti-prejudice objectives
- Pediatric population
- Facts and evidence
- Escape prejudice
- Promotes vaccination
The study focuses on the presentation of different types of vaccines. The main objectives concern awareness, education, and prejudice reduction. It promotes the importance of vaccination for the pediatric population, meaning infants, children, and teenagers in the range of 0-18 years old. It provides factual information, supported by specialists’ research studies to validate the claims and avoid various discontent groups.
Vaccine importance for the pediatric population
- Life-long immunity
- Strong immune system
- Small risks
- Prejudice interventions
- Lectures for parents
Early vaccination may create life-long immunity to many diseases. This practice reduced the outbreaks of some infections to a minimum. Infant immune systems may handle much more than adults. The risks of vaccination are small compared to the possible death. Interventions may be provided if parents refuse to vaccinate their children based on beliefs. For example, religious leaders may communicate with their congregations, or special lectures may be provided concerning the possible health threats.
Influenza vaccine
- Up to 45% of children’s annual virus infection
- Children are a critical source of epidemics
- Higher risk for children younger than five years
- Limited use of a vaccine in infants
- Mild side effects
Human influenza is an infectious disease resulting from influenza A and B viruses. It may lead to high fever, coughing, and running nose. According to Mameli et al. (2019), each year, about 45% of children are infected with the disease at least once (p. 4). A child’s body is more exposed to the virus than adults. The vaccine effectiveness is the highest when given to children aged 1-5 years old, reaching about 70% (Mameli et al., 2019, p. 4). The possible side effects include nausea, mild fever, and fatigue.
Measles vaccine
- Fever, rash break out
- Two doses
- Children and adults
- Early dose administration
- Mild side effects
Measles is a contagious disease resulting from the measles virus. The symptoms involve high fever, coughing, and rash break out, covering most of the body. Vaccination is recommended for both children and adults, providing long-lasting protection. The process usually takes two doses. The first dose is administered at the age of 9 months, resulting in the ineffectiveness of up to 87% (Carazo et al., 2020, p. 8). Side effects involve faint rash, fever, and drowsiness.
Mumps vaccine
- High mortality rate
- Recent outbreaks
- Two doses
- Transmission by oral routes
- Mild side effects
Mumps is a childhood viral disease caused by the mumps virus. The common symptoms involve swelling of the parotid glands. The disease may cause morbidity and mortality. It is transmitted by respiratory or oral route. The mumps outbreaks increased in recent years, e.g., the USA mumps outbreak of 2016-2017 (Su et al., 2020, p. 2). The current practice involves vaccination of children aged 14-24 months, with the effectiveness reaching up to 95% (Su et al., 2020, p. 8). It usually takes two doses to eradicate the chance of infection. Side effects are loss of appetite, swollen glands, and fever.
Rubella vaccination
- High immunization rate
- Lifelong protection
- Two doses
- Transmission through respiratory ways
- Mild side effects
Rubella is a preventable contagious infection caused by the rubella virus. It is distinctive with a red rash. The disease may be transmitted through the respiratory way. It may be prevented with the MMR vaccine’s help, its effectiveness reaching 97% (“Rubella vaccination,” 2021). Two doses are usually applied. The first one is provided at the age of 12-15 months, and the second at 4-6 years. Side effects involve mild rash, fever, and itchy eyes.
Varicella vaccination
- Highly contagious
- Long shot intervals
- Two doses recommended
- Transmission through contact and respiration
- Mild side effects
Varicella is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It results in a rash with itchy blisters. The virus is highly contagious and may be transmitted through direct contact or respiration. The usual recommendations include two doses with a long or short shot interval. The first dose is applied at the age of 12-18 months, resulting in an effectiveness up to 87% (Wutzler et al., 2017, p. 8). The second injection is provided at the age of 4-6 years, with total effectiveness increasing to 98% (Wutzler et al., 2017, p. 9). Side effects include cough, headache, nausea, and fever.
Hepatitis A vaccine
- Highly contagious
- Hidden syndromes
- High vaccine efficiency
- Transmission through contacts, food
- No side effects
Hepatitis is a preventable disease caused by hepatitis viruses. It results in liver inflammation and is transmitted through personal contacts, contaminated food, and the fecal-oral route. The symptoms may include nausea and vomiting. Children under the age of 6 do not show these symptoms openly. The vaccination age is typically 12-23 months, with possible “catch-up” vaccinations in the age of 2-18 years. The success rate of immunization reaches 95%, and it is highly effective in disease prevention (Michaelis et al., 2018, p. 7). No side effects have been reported after the injection.
Tetanus vaccine
- High mortality rate
- No natural immunity
- Five injections
- Transmission through contaminated objects
- Rare vaccine side effects
Tetanus is a life-threatening disease caused by bacterial infection. Toxins affect the nervous system, resulting in spasms and stiffness of muscles. The fatality ratio is highest in infants, reaching up to 100% without medical care and 20% in modern facilities. Immunity is rarely acquired naturally (Liang et al., 2018, p. 8). A series of 5 DTaP injections before the age of 7 may be necessary to develop antibodies (Liang et al., 2018, p. 8). The side effects are rare and may include mild fever or vomiting.
Conclusion
- High vaccine efficiency
- Possible side effects outweigh prejudices
- Avoid death and hospitalization
- Common practice
- Long-time immunity
The research shows the success rates of vaccines and their possible side effects. Vaccination is the best way to prevent potential diseases and avoid such risks as hospitalization or death. This is a common worldwide practice applied in countries with different cultures and religions. It means that more and more people understand the value of vaccination despite prejudices. It is important to remember that one injection may save a child from future risks.
References
Carazo, S., Billard, M. N., Boutin, A., & De Serres, G. (2020). Effect of age at vaccination on the measles vaccine effectiveness and immunogenicity: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infectious Diseases, 20, 1-18. Web.
Liang, J. L., Tiwari, T., Moro, P., Messonnier, N. E., Reingold, A., Sawyer, M., & Clark, T. A. (2018). Prevention of pertussis, tetanus, and diphtheria with vaccines in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR Recommendations and Reports, 67(2), 1-44. Web.
Mameli, C., Cocchi, I., Fumagalli, M., & Zuccotti, G. (2019). Influenza vaccination: Effectiveness, indications, and limits in the pediatric population. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 7(317), 1-8. Web.
Michaelis, K., Poethko-MĂĽller, C., Kuhnert, R., Stark, K., & Faber, M. (2018). Hepatitis A virus infections, immunizations and demographic determinants in children and adolescents, Germany. Scientific Reports, 8(1), 1-10. Web.
Rubella (German measles) vaccination (2021). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web.
Su, S. B., Chang, H. L., & Chen, K. T. (2020). Current status of mumps virus infection: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and vaccine. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1-15. Web.
Wutzler, P., Bonanni, P., Burgess, M., Gershon, A., Sáfadi, M. A., & Casabona, G. (2017). Varicella vaccination-the global experience. Expert Review of Vaccines, 16(8), 833-843. Web.