Immunization
Immunization is the process of preventing the spread of infectious diseases. According to world health organization Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations. It has clearly defined target groups; it can be delivered effectively through outreach activities; and vaccination does not require any major lifestyle change.
Immunization is an imporant topic to me because it is very relevant in the Early childhood Field and as a professional in this field it affects me. Immunization helps curb a lot of fatal and infectious diseases that cause death in children and even adults. Berger, K.S. (2016) The developing person , through childhood (7th edition) New york:WORTH PUBLISHERS, states thet immunization primes the body's immune system to resist a particular disease. Some of the diseases that are controlled, prevented, and eliminated through immunization are measles, polio, chicken pox, tetanus, mumps, flu, whooping cough, typhoid. According to Berger, K.S. (2016) The developing person , through childhood (7th edition) New york:WORTH PUBLISHERS, immunization eliminated small pox and dramatically reduced chicken pox, flue, measles, mumps,pneumonia, polio, rotavirus, tetanus, and whooping cough.
Here is an example of immunization schedule we use in kenya BCG POLIO (OPV O) at birth dose or at first contact with child.
DPT1-HeB1-Hib1 DOSE POLIO (OPV 1) 6 weeks(1 ½ months) Or at first contact with child after that age.
DPT2-HeB2-Hib2 DOSE POLIO (OPV 2) 10 weeks(2 ½ months) 4 weeks after DPT 1 and OPV 1 can also be given anytime after this period, when in contact with the child.
DPT3-HeB3-Hib3 DOSE POLIO (OPV 3) 14 weeks(3 ½ months) 4 weeks after DPT 2 and OPV 2 can also be given any time after this period, when in contact with the child.
Measles 9 months May be given between 6 and 9 months if child is admitted to hospital for any other illness. Repeat at 9 months as per KEPI schedule.
Definition for key words.
BCG: An effective immunization against tuberculosis. BCG stands for Bacille Calmette Guerin. BCG is a weakened (attenuated) version of a bacteria called Mycobacterium bovis which is closely related to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the agent responsible for tuberculosis
HiB Haemophilus influenza type B vaccine (Hib janan or PRP vaccine) is a conjugate vaccine developed for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Haemophilus influenza type b bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended the use of the Hib vaccine.
Immunization in South Africa.
In South Africa immunization is conducted and valued just like the rest of the world.
Here is there immunization schedule
Expanded Programme on Immunisation – EPI (SA) Revised Childhood Immunisation Schedule from April 2009
At birth BCG Bacilles Calmette Guerin Right arm OPV (O) Oral Polio Vaccine Drops by mouth.
6 weeks OPV (1) Oral Polio Vaccine Drops by mouth RV (1) Rotavirus Vaccine Liquid by mouth DTap-IPV//Hib (1) Diphtheria, Tetanus, a cellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b Combined Intramuscular / Left thigh Heb B (1) Hepatitis B Vaccine Intramuscular / Right thigh PCV7 (1) Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine Intramuscular / Right thigh.
10 weeks DTap-IPV//Hib (2) Diphtheria, Tetanus, a cellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b Combined Intramuscular / Left thigh Heb B (2) Hepatitis B Vaccine Intramuscular / Right thigh.
14 weeks RV (2) Rotavirus Vaccine* Liquid by mouth DTap-IPV//Hib (3) Diphtheria, Tetanus, a cellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b Combined Intramuscular / Left thigh Heb B (3) Hepatitis B Vaccine Intramuscular / Right thigh PCV7 (2) Pneumococcal Conjugated Vaccine Intramuscular / Right thigh.
9 months Measles Vaccine (1) Intramuscular / Left thigh PCV7 (3) Pneumococcal Conjugated vaccine Intramuscular / Right thigh.
18 months DTap-IPV//Hib (4) Diphtheria, Tetanus, a cellular Pertussis, Inactivated Polio Vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type b Combined Intramuscular / Left arm Measles Vaccine (2) Intramuscular / Right arm.
6 years (Both boys and girls) Td Vaccine Tetanus and reduced strength of diphtheria Vaccine Intramuscular / Left arm.
12 years (Both boys and girls) Td Vaccine Tetanus and reduced strength of diphtheria Vaccine Intramuscular / Left arm * Rotavirus Vaccine should NOT be administered after 24 weeks.
This information that i have shared here will help me know when a child should be immunized and I will use this information to help young parents in making sure that they immunize their children. I will need this information when enrolling a child in a class to know which immunization the child has received and which one has not yet so that I am able to advise the parents and the child's family accordingly. This information will help me in cases of measles, chicken pox, and mumps that are very common during early years and only happen once, so I know what measures to take incase one child is infected to avoid infecting those who have not yet had their first infection.
References.
Berger, K.S. (2016) The developing person , through childhood (7th edition) New york:WORTH PUBLISHERS
http://www.who.int/topics/immunization/en/
http://www.kznhealth.gov.za/vaccinations.pdf
http://collections.infocollections.org/whocountry/en/d/Jh4329e/15.html
