Vaccination for Measles Prevention for WHO - myassignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theVaccination for Measles Prevention for WHO. Answer: Measles is a problem which has a history of affecting people all across the world especially in developed countries. This is due to the fact that the disease is infectious. Measles is most common in the countries of Africa and Asia (Roalkvam, McNeill Blume, 2013). Infectious diseases can be prevented by the administering of vaccines. Based on the findings of the World Health Organisation, majority of infectious diseases have been diminished to a certain extent by vaccinations. The individuals who are vaccinated are protected by direct immunization and also protect unvaccinated individuals by community protection or by herd immunity. Herd immunity is basically a form of immunity which occurs when the vaccination of a significant portion of a p opulation or herd provides a measure of protection for the individuals who have not developed immunity. This effectively prevents the spread of diseases in the community. Vaccination has been considered as one of the major reasons for the fall in the health disparities both within as well as across countries. The threat of diseases has been dramatically reduced by vaccines. Measles is a highly infectious and potentially fatal virus which is easily spread from person to person even through coughs or sneezes. Approximately nine out of ten people who are susceptible and unvaccinated can contract the virus if exposed to someone who is already infected (Poland Jacobson, 2012). It has been suggested by public health experts that herd immunity of sorts can be achieved only when ninety percent of a population is vaccinated. However at present studies suggest that this also might not be adequate enough to prevent measles from taking hold in a particular community (CDC. 2012). Measles majorly occur in children who are unvaccinated. There are instances in which the parents choose not to vaccinate their children. In the United States, several parents have opted out due to the safety concerns for their children. This concern is present among parents of several countries despite the evidence that vaccination is safe. The institute of medicine in the US has stated in 2013 report that childhood immunization schedule is very effective (Poland Jacobson, 2012). There are several advantages of vaccination. It is one of the most useful ways of prevention of particular infectious diseases. In certain cases in case the vaccine forms the disease for which the children who are prone to particular diseases. Vaccines not only help to prevent disease but to completely remove the disease from the globe (CDC, 2012). Immunization of children aged till three years with measles vaccine appears to improve the subsequent chances of survival significantly. The impact of vaccination on the childhood mortality on study revealed that the mortality rates of vaccinated children were as much as 46% less than those for non-vaccinated children. The findings state clearly that there is a greater priority to measles vaccination within the health care programs of a primary nature. The vaccine for the measles disease prevention is quite effective but it I not hundred percent preventative. The vaccinated people protect the unvaccinated. This concept is basically that of the herd community. However in cases when more people decide not to get vaccinated, the virus has more ways to creep through, and more and more people to infect. There have been reported severe outbreaks in all the countries of the world and therefore it is needed to reduce and if possible eradicate the outbreak of the disease (Luyten Beutels, 2016). Asia was reported to have the most suspected cases of measles with China at the top of the list with the Philippines and Vietnam. There were multiple outbreaks in China as well which needed to be seeded out. Measles outbreaks have also been reported in Sudan as well as Nigeria. Therefore vaccination is necessary to prevent the comeback of the diseases which spread and this is true especially in case of the United States. There were major disease outbreaks in the Netherlands as well. In the year 2016 as well the number of cases of measles grew considerably and therefore the need of vaccination. Vaccination is highly important, as it provides protection not only for vaccinated individuals but for those who cannot be vaccinated due to the biological or genetic reasons and also in case of young babies who cannot be vaccinated due to their age. In certain cases, the government should make vaccination compulsory and introduce punitive sanctions for those who refuse to vaccinate their children. The process of vaccination should be more accessible to the parents and they should be aware of the minimization risk for the children. Television and other mass media should also interact with the government and deliver information which is scientifically relatable for the people, as in absence of information people are likely to be misled. References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. (2012). Measles-United States, 2011.MMWR. Morbidity and mortality weekly report,61, 253. Luyten, J., Beutels, P. (2016). The social value of vaccination programs: beyond cost-effectiveness.Health Affairs,35(2), 212-218. Poland, G. A., Jacobson, R. M. (2012). The re-emergence of measles in developed countries: time to develop the next-generation measles vaccines?.Vaccine,30(2), 103. Roalkvam, S., McNeill, D., Blume, S. (Eds.). (2013).Protecting the world's children: Immunisation policies and practices. OUP Oxford.