I chose to talk about immunizations. I feel that immunizations are a very important inexpensive way to protect our children from childhood diseases. I understand that there are some side effects from the vaccines. However, there are side effects with any medicine.I know of some people who chose not to get theri children the immunizations due to the side effects. I chose to give the immunizations to my three children. I feel that we could handle the side effects but I could not handle my child suffering from a disease that I could have prevented with a simple shot.
Immunizations simplely place a small dose of the disease into the body, which then builds up immunity to the disease. Then if a child come in contact with the disease the body immune system goes into action. Immunizations helps to make children stronger and when children have a strong immune system they do not miss out on school or things they want to do.
I did some research on Africa and Immunizations. In Africa one of every eight children dies before the age of five. Pneumonia and dirrahea are the biggest killers. Polio is also a disease that is killing African children. There are a large number of children in Africa who do not recieve immunizations in Africa due to funding. This is way many organizations such as UNICEF is aiding in getting vaccines to the poorest countries in the world.
I feel that this information is helpful in my line of work because when children come to school with a healthy immune system there is less likely to be the spread of disease such as chicken pox and sickness like the flu.
http://allafrica.com/
An eveluation of infant immunization in Africa; is a transformation in progress.
http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/85/6/06-031526.pdf
Like yourself, I have a friend too who works at a university and I remember her telling me that most people who immunize their children do so because, they believe in the validity of the claims of the health profession that immunization saves lives and because it is required before their children can enter school.
ReplyDeleteI too immunized my children. It has become a very controversial issue. I have several friends that do not believe in immunizing their children and firmly stand by their choice. I respect their decisions and it can be scary, especially with the links to autism that are coming to light.Before making my choice, I wish I would have done more research and made a truly informed decision.
ReplyDeleteDuring my reasearch for the week on breastfeeding, I learned that immediate breastfeeding acts as somewhat of a "natural immunization" to childhood diseases. I would be interested to read research on the connection between immunizations and breastfeeding.