Back-to-school Shots
Posted on July 31, 2013 by bob in April 2010
As families prepare for the coming school year, back to school “shots” may be on the to-do list. Grandparents often have influential roles in decisions made by family members. Grandparents can bring up discussions of diseases and encourage parents to carefully consider the risks of non-vaccination vs. benefits of vaccination at suggested ages. Parents can collaborate with healthcare providers to consider the individual needs of children, while addressing ways to prevent risks to the family and their community.
“I remember when…” included in conversations, reveals a bit of reminiscence. However, references to lived experiences also provide perspective from another time in history and decisions made during those life events. Memories from parents or grandparents can involve experiences of contagious “usual childhood diseases”. These included chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, influenza. Other dreaded, although not “usual,” contagious infections included diphtheria, typhus, typhoid, whooping cough (pertussis), scarlet or rheumatic fever, pneumonia, tetanus, smallpox, and fear of the paralyzing effects of polio.
Most families had members or friends who suffered or perhaps died from one of these diseases. Younger generations do not have a sense of the potential serious effects from these diseases because vaccination efforts during the past six decades have resulted in near eradication in the U.S. and many other countries. However, photos and descriptions of the suffering involved are available on the internet. Other diseases that continue to pose a threat, yet have available vaccinations, include hepatitis (A&B), meningitis, rotavirus, human papillovirus, pneumonia, influenza, and shingles.
Recommendations for vaccinations according to three age groups are available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC; see sidebar). They include descriptions of the diseases, how the diseases spread, symptoms and possible complications.
Alternate forms for some vaccinations may be available, including inhaled or liquid forms. Asking if children and care providers at in-home care, daycare facilities or church nurseries have been vaccinated helps to assess potential risks to children, adults, family, and communities. Additionally, actions can speak louder than words. Adults who follow vaccination schedules can motivate by example.
Updates for influenza, tetanus, pneumonia, pertussis, or a zoster vaccination to protect against severe shingles effects can benefit adults and limit potential spread to family members.
A recent study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine (online July 10, 2013) indicated pneumonia vaccine used in the U.S. beginning in 2000 prevented 168,000 hospitalizations each year since, while the pneumonia vaccine for people age 85 or older prevented 73,000 hospitalizations annually. Also, hospitalizations for children under age two were reduced 43 percent, preventing an estimated 47,000 pneumonia hospitalizations per year. Additional benefits include decreases in ear infections, outpatient visits, and deaths.
The reduction in hospitalization rates for older ages occurred even though children were the group routinely vaccinated against pneumonia, showing that a vaccine for children can also serve to protect adults by decreasing risk of spread.
Arlene Morris, EdD, RN, CNE
Arlene H. Morris, EdD, RN, CNE is Professor of Nursing, Auburn Montgomery School of Nursing. Reach her at amorris@aum.edu.
