The student must then post 2 replies of at least 250 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of the assigned Module. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly citation in current APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 2 scholarly citation in current APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years(exept for the Bible and the textbook). Acceptable sources include the textbook, the Bible, or professional publications.
Please include what is stated underneath in both replies:
Replies: What additional information can you add to your peer’s posts regarding the anti-vaccination movement?
relpy 1:
According to our textbook, Introduction to Epidemiology eighth edition by Ray M. Merrill, immunization is the introduction of a substance that can cause the immune system to respond and develop antibodies against a disease (Merrill, 2021, p. 55). Immunizations are important in the aid of stopping the spread of certain vaccine-prevented illnesses, like Measles. The immunization of 60 million children from 1963 to 1972 cost $180 million but saved $1.3 billion by averting 24 million cases of measles (Merrill, 2021, p. 55).
In recent years, there has been a rise in people becoming anti-vaccinators and refusing to vaccinate themselves as well as their children. Vaccines are there as a preventative medicine to prevent individuals from contracting certain diseases and infections. However, here in recent years we have seen a significant increase in the antivaccination arguments. One of the major causes to the rise in anti-vaccination is the persuasion from entertainment and pop culture figures. Celebrities such as Jenny McCarthy, Alicia Silverstone, Rob Schneider, and Robert De Niro used fear-based messaging to influence parents to avoid vaccination, particularly in claiming a false link between vaccinations and autism (Benecke & DeYoung, 2019, para. 7). Celebrities have a major impact on people and their decisions, so when they make negative statements against vaccinations, people are more likely to follow them, causing a rise in anti-vaccinators. This rise in anti-vaccinators will likely cause an increase in illnesses that are preventable by vaccines, like Measles, and will cause people of varying ages to get extremely sick and even lead to fatalities worldwide.
As health professionals, there are certain precautions that need to be taken to protect school-aged children against vaccine-preventable diseases. One article I found gave a few options to help with preventing vaccine-preventable diseases to protect children. Health care provider-based interventions have been suggested to overcome such vaccine noncompliance, including patient counseling; improving access to vaccinations; maximizing patient office visits; offering combination vaccines; and using electronic medical records (EMRs) and practice alerts (Ventola, 2016, para. 1). Protecting school-age children needs to be a priority when looking at vaccine-preventable diseases. However, there are some medical reasons a child cannot be vaccinated due to allergies or genetics. This is when vaccines can be even more beneficial. For example, if a child in class is allergic to something in a vaccine and cannot have it, the other students in the class can protect that child by having their vaccine. However, if another child does not have their vaccine and catches an illness that other child could pass it onto the other student. Vaccines not only provide individual protection for those persons who are vaccinated, they can also provide community protection by reducing the spread of disease within a population (Orenstein & Ahmed, 2017, para. 2).
Protecting our bodies is something that God wanted us to do. I feel that protecting ourselves includes these vaccinations for not only ourselves but for our neighbors. The New International translation of the Bible states that If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy that person; for Gods temple is sacred, and you together are the temple (New International Version). In conclusion we need to stand together and continue to put our faith in modern science as well as the Lord and perpetuate health and safety in our community by trusting the vaccinations that are available in modern western medicine.
Reply 2:
Hussain et al. (2018) found that people have avoided vaccines since the 18th century due to things like myths, fear of the unknown, and the belief that vaccines go against Gods punishment for those that sin. They explain, Reverend Edmund Massey in England called the vaccines diabolical operations in his 1772 sermon, The Dangerous and Sinful Practice of Inoculation (p. 122). When community members spread misleading information about vaccines, it only incites more fear and belief that vaccines are unsafe and intrude on the populations rights. A lot of misconception about vaccines boils down to a lack of knowledge, understanding, and sometimes trust in health professionals and the government.
A perfect example of vaccine avoidance is the Covid-19 vaccine. Many people are skeptical because the vaccine came out very quickly and was said to be very effective. However, as of yet, this vaccine is only somewhat effective, and many people have had adverse effects. Normally, vaccines take years of research and trial and error, this vaccine took mere months to produce and administer. The vaccine, just as the virus, will affect everyone differently and this sentiment is true for any disease, virus, or vaccine. Not only is the abruptness of the vaccine bothersome to the public, but also the aggressive tactics and pushiness to get the vaccine. If there is one thing well known throughout society it is that people do not like to be pressured into anything. Many people feel health professionals and the government are forcing and rushing the Covid vaccine. This aligns with people not understanding the research behind the vaccine. The good news is that research and technology have come a long way since the 18th century.
Merrill (2021) suggests immunization is key to protecting public health. He found that According to the CDC, if fewer than 80% of the children in a given area have been inoculated for one of the contagious diseases, the danger of serious outbreaks or localized epidemics remains; every unvaccinated child is at risk (p. 55). Healthcare workers should do their best to promote vaccines while educating the population. Helping people understand the benefits and the risks of vaccines will help them make more informed healthcare decisions for themselves and their family members. When healthcare professionals are honest and open about the good and the bad people are more open to trusting their knowledge and advice.
Other means of protecting the general public and school-aged children against vaccine-preventable diseases are good hygiene habits and precautions. Healthy habits and precautions include anything from washing hands to avoiding contaminated food or water sources to researching and applying disease treatment and prevention. There is scripture in the Bible that advocates preventative medicine. 1 Timothy 5: 23 Paul states, Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses (NIV). Today, preventative medicine includes healthy lifestyle choices, health care screenings, and vaccinations.
