Vaccination Discussion
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Vaccines are important in the contemporary society because it helps to prevent diseases. In the United States, they have been utilized for more than two centuries. However, vaccinations have been surrounded by controversy as people become concerned of their safety. Reports have indicated that some vaccines could act as a source of various diseases among children. Some of these diseases include autism. Consequently, the number of parents who oppose vaccination has been rising (Sears, 2011). Therefore, correct and objective information should be provided in order to create awareness on the importance of vaccinations. Most importantly, this will help to impart confidence
Various studies conducted by the CDC and the US healthcare system have demonstrated that there is no association between use of vaccines and diseases such as autism. From a pharmacist perspective, vaccination is crucial in eradication of diseases because it helps the body to generate and strengthen immunity against bacteria or virus (Sears, 2011). Therefore, the immune system would easily identify and destroy foreign cells that are responsible of causing diseases. Most significantly, they help the body to initiate immunity against inactive types of viruses and bacteria.
The US healthcare system has witnessed a re-emergence of diseases such as pertussis. Subsequently, there has been rising deaths particularly among children because they cannot receive pertussis vaccine. In this regard, this pointed out the need to vaccination aiming to protect people who could not receive the vaccine (Sears, 2011). Therefore, the idea behind herd immunity is that it ensures that sufficient number of people is vaccinated against a certain disease so that they reduce the risk of the diseases to those who cannot receive the vaccines. Herd immunity can therefore, play an essential role in minimizing deaths of children due to pertussis in the US (Sears, 2011). The concept should be practiced especially among parents so that they can protect their children.
Pharmacist should play a vital role in creating awareness of the need of vaccination. Similarly, they should concentrate on reducing the rate of vaccination refusal among parents. Various factors influence the parents opposition towards vaccines. Some of these include religious beliefs, perceived risk, and personal values. Unsubstantiated reports on the internet and media suggest that vaccines can cause neurological illnesses and autism. Therefore, pharmacist should be open to parents so that such concerns are averted (Sears, 2011). Similarly, creating awareness will play a crucial role in educating people who oppose Human Papillomavirus vaccinations on the basis that it would encourage promiscuity in the public.
Religious beliefs have been used to argue against the need for vaccinations. Some individuals believe that the body of human being is holy hence must not be subjected to substances or chemicals in vaccines. Moreover, they oppose vaccines because human should not benefit from medical interventions because they should be healed through divine powers (Sears, 2011). Therefore, this suggests that pharmacist have a vital role to play in promoting use of vaccines. The concerns raised by parents should be addressed in order to increase the acceptability and credibility of vaccination. Similarly, it will help to protect persons who – for various reasons, cannot be vaccinated (Sears, 2011). Moreover, pharmacists should seek to understand factors that influence the decision making process towards vaccinations among parents. Subsequently, they would be able to guide parents and guardians on the importance of vaccines.
References
Sears, R. W. (2011). The vaccine book: making the right decision for your child. Little, Brown.