The public health topic I choose to talk about is immunizations. This is a very important topic where I work. At Early Head Start, we work with families and educate them on why immunizations are important. We have had some families chose not to get the immunizations for their child. Being a Federal program we have to document that all children in the program are up-to-date with their immunizations, and if the family chooses not to get the immunizations we have to have them fill out a paper stating that.
Currently this past week here in my hometown there is an outbreak of Pertussis (whooping cough). Now everyone is concerned about getting their child to the doctor and getting a vaccination. My children are all up-to-date on their immunizations but I am still worried because I know that there are children that are in contact with my children that are not up-to-date. This is something that not only affects the child that doesn’t receive immunizations but it also affects the children they come in contact with.
The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) have been working in Thailand (World Health Organization [WHO], 2010). They have been planning and working systematically on the building of the disease immunity since 1977 in order to lower the illness and deaths due to the diseases that could be prevented by vaccination (WHO, 2010). With the passage of time, the work on expanding immunity cover has been increasing the varieties of vaccines and the target groups, and from time to time adjusting the schedule of vaccinations, according to the changing epidemiological conditions (WHO, 2010).
There are some accomplishments from the past efforts (WHO, 2010). The last survey of the primary vaccine coverage in 2003 found 95 percent coverage of children less than one year of age, who had received BCG and 3 doses of DPT, Polio and hepatitis B (WHO, 2010). The coverage of pregnant women with TT was 90 percent (WHO, 2010).
I thought it was great that they were working on getting all the children immunized in Thailand. I know in the United States immunizations is a hot topic of discussions. Some people think that immunizations have side effects or cause medical issues. I think the research that I have been doing about Thailand will help me find different ways to work with families here in the United States.
I have included a link to the United States' Immunization schedule and also Thailand's Immunizations schedule to compare.
United States Thailand
I have included a link to the United States' Immunization schedule and also Thailand's Immunizations schedule to compare.
United States Thailand
References:
World Health Organization [WHO]. (2010) Thailand: National Health System Profile. Retrieved from http://searo.who.int/LinkFiles/Thailand_Thailand_final_031005_WT.pdf
Alison,
ReplyDeleteI also decided to blog about Immunizations for my pubic topic. I found some useful information on the WHO website as well. Our Head Start Center also makes is a requirement of children to have up-to-date shots prior to beginning school. If the child is not up-to-date then a note is sent home to the parent with a reasonable time to handle this matter. If the parent, refuses then the child is removed from the program unless a note from the pediatrician is provided with a reason why the child is not immunized. I also agree that immunization is a very touchy topic but my children are immunized and currently update on all shots. Great post and valuable information.
TaShunda
Alison, after reading your blog this week, I was surprised to hear that you work with some families who refuse to immunize their children. I have known that there are side effects to immunizations but they are outweight by the benefits. I work in a Child Development Center and all our children have to have their shots up-to date. Because childhood diceases can become difficult where many children are together, we do require our patrons to bring all shot records before atmitting them to our program. I never realized how much controversy the topic of immunization can be. I think it is strange not to give children shots they need, when other countries would give anything to get them.
ReplyDeleteAlison,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog. It was interesting that we do have similar job title. I am also the Education Manager for a Early Head Start site in Fairfax County Virginia. I was very surprise that your program do allow children without up to date immunization record if the parent refuses. In our Program the baby well check immunization has to be current for the children to enroll, we do not give the option for refusal. If the parent want to particpate in a Federal program they do not have a choice.
I know everyone in your hometown must be terrified about the out break of whooping cough. It is soo important for parent to ensure that their child is immunized. Hopefully parent will continue to see the benefit of it.
Your post was very informative and the topic is very important. I agree that all children should be up to date on all their shots because it seems like children catch everything that is going around anymore and that is a scary thing. You want your child to be able to go to school and learn,but also be healthy at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI know where I work that we urge all of our workers to stay up to date on all their shots because they work in a health care facility.
This is something that still needs to be promoted more because your child's health is at risk.