In my profession as a site manager for a Head Start preschool it is my responsibility to monitor health requirements. Family advocates work with the families on set up appointments and then I follow up with them. we provide assistance and guidance and help families find clinics and providers. I chose the topic of immunizations because this is one the health requirements I have experience in my profession. staying up to date with immunizations has many health benefits. I know the impact being healthy can have on a child’s education. I inform parents about the importance of staying immunized and also the benefits of getting immunized. However, i work with many families who chose not to get immunized because of certain religious beliefs. I respect cultural differences and never push immunizations on anyone. One way i have bettered myself to help the families who oppose immunizations was becoming a Notary of Public. an official document needs to be stamped by a notary of public in order to attend school in Minnesota.To get documents notarized most notary of public’s charge a fee. Working with low income families many will not be able to afford this fee. Becoming a notary of public has already helped several of the families i work with.

Find information about this topic from a different part of the world, and include this information in your Blog.

Although staying up to date on immunizations is important, many children around the world care not receiving disease preventing vaccines. There are more reasons than some may think as to why a child is not immunized. Some reasons as to why some children around the world are not immunized include personal beliefs, availability, and safety concerns. Families may have religious beliefs that chose them to deny vaccines and some families chose the natural approach which does not allow their child to be exposed to vaccines. Availability around the world may be scarcer then here in the United States. Some of the negative results after receiving a vaccine has kept families from allowing their child to receive the vaccine.

Vaccination facts from around the world: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/vaccination-around-the-world.aspx

3 million children die every year from diseases that are entirely preventable

30 million babies aren't able to get basic vaccinations each year

In almost 50 countries, nearly two-thirds (60%) of children are not vaccinated

A child in the developing world is 10 times more likely to die of a vaccine-preventable disease than a child in an industrialized nation

In the UK, no matter what the circumstances routine vaccinations for children are always free and easily accessible. The UK has a very strong program set in place to insure all children are able to receive and have access to immunizations. I feel in the United States we inform parents about the importance of immunizations. Doctors and nurses inform parents from pregnancy through childhood. Once in an educational setting teachers and other staff are there to support families in getting their children immunized. I have attached an immunization schedule used in the UK and I have also attached an immunization schedule that I use here in Minnesota. Getting children immunized is very important in both of the countries and we follow a similar immunization requirement.

UK Immunization schedule:

US Immunization Schedule:

Here is a link to a news article that puts the expansion of immunization efforts into perspective. The article depicts the amount of change and the number of children that are now receiving immunizations that may not otherwise received before many of the immunization programs.

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130711/Immunization-in-developing-countries-an-interview-with-Dr-Jos-Vandelaer-Chief-of-Immunization-for-UNICEF.aspx

When thinking of countries health care systems around the world i was often uninformed. It was great to read articles about other countries and the success they have had in implementing immunization plans. In researching about immunizations around the world I also came upon many organizations that raise funds and deliver immunizations to countries in need. The UK has free of charge regularly scheduled immunizations for all children. I find this to be amazing! I feel many more of my students in head start would be getting immunized on a more regular basis if they could protect their child’s health for free. I will continue to advocate for immunizations and respect cultural and personal beliefs to appose immunizations. If a family chooses not to get immunizations I am not there to tell them they have to, I’m there to respect and support the families i work with. If families are immunizing their children i will continue to provide them with resources and support as well.

References:

mm5751a5.htm

Centers for disease control and prevention. (2009). recommended immunization schedules for persons aged 0 through 18 years. retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5751a5.htm

Minnesota Department of Health. (n.d.) Immunizations. Retrieved from http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/immunize/index.html

News Medical (2013). Immunization in developing countries: an interview with Dr. Jos Vandelaer, Chief of immunization for UNICEF. Retrieved from http://www.news-medical.net/news/20130711/Immunization-in-developing-countries-an-interview-with-Dr-Jos-Vandelaer-Chief-of-Immunization-for-UNICEF.aspx

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2013). Global Immunization: Vaccine Coverage is Variable. Retrieved from http://www.chop.edu/service/parents-possessing-accessing-communicating-knowledge-about-vaccines/global-immunization/global-immunization-vaccine-coverage-is-variable.html

UK Government. (n.d.) The complete routine immunisation schedule 2013/14. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/227651/8515_DoH_Complete_Imm_schedule_A4_2013_09.pdf

Vale Practice. (n.d.) Recommended Vaccination Schedule. Retrieved from http://www.mysurgerywebsite.co.uk/info.aspx?p=6&pr=vale01

4 thoughts on “Child Development and Public Health”

Angela Oliver says:

May 18, 2014 at 3:39 pm

I respect your position dealing with families on the issue of immunizations. Here in Central Texas, there have been increased cases of whooping cough and other diseases that should have been irradicated by now. It’s the direct result of less immunization. I’m not a parent, and feel very uncomfortable talking about this issue with parents seeking my council. I understand their fears on both sides of the issue. I think the best we can do is talk openly with them and provide them with ample information about the benefits seen not only in this country but in others like the UK. Maybe with some solid statistics and hard data from other nations as well, we can help lead parents into making the best possible choices for their children (and society, as a result), with respect to but regardless of some of their cultural or religious beliefs.

nycgaby91 says:

May 18, 2014 at 4:09 pm

Great information! It’s amazing how many who can get themselves and their children vaccinated and don’t. We allow our children, sometimes ourselves to get sick with some disease that could have been prevented only if we had taken a vaccination. America has a strict requirement for children to be vaccinated from birth until the age of 18. Parent’s/caregivers should take this very serious and do what it required to protect their children. Gaby

Mary Malepsy says:

May 18, 2014 at 6:40 pm

Hi Jacqueline,
Your post was very informational and interesting. I find the statistics about deaths and diseases from developing nations very sad. Sometimes we take things for granted in the United States. I know that I took for granted being able to take my daughter to the doctor and receive immunizations to keep her healthy. I didn’t even think about children in other countries. I also think that it is great that you become a notary of public to help the families that you work with.
-Mary

Cheryl says:

May 18, 2014 at 9:05 pm

I am so glad you have chosen to write about immunization. Immunization is a very popular topic. More and more people are choosing not to have their child immunized. In Michigan parents who wish not to have their child vaccinated need to have a signed wavier. Do they need a sign wavier where you live?
I love the fact that you are a notary. I would have never thought about being able to do that for our families. I also work for Head Start and think that is a great idea. It will better serve our families.