Controversies on Childhood Immunization

One of the contemporary challenges that pediatric practitioners face when providing medical care for children is the increasing number of people refusing to be vaccinated. This occurs despite the obvious well-known benefits of vaccination on individuals and its cost-effectiveness (Mahendra et al, 2018). Controversies surrounding immunization of children have misled parents to an extent to make them believe that vaccines might be harmful. Parents believe in this controversies based on the inaccurate data they get from the internet, information from celebrities as well as misinterpreted science (Mahendra et al, 2018). There is an inverse relationship between the levels of diseases that can be prevented through vaccination and safety concerns. In this scenario, safety concern will likely to emerge as the most preferable by parents. Parents are more concerned with the current safety of their children rather than preventing future foreseeable diseases through vaccination Effects of Immunization Controversy on Community Health This false belief by parents that vaccines are harmful has led to fear and decreased the number of immunization among children. This false belief is gaining popularity despite the availability of sound scientific evidence suggesting that the available vaccines are safe (Mahendra et al, 2018). The evidence also suggests that the vaccines are not in any way associated with autism, developmental disabilities or other medical disorders. Some parents have alternative ways of preventing diseases other than immunization. Continuous refusals of immunization by parents to their children have had effects on the community's health (Gust et al, 2008). It is not a surprise that there is an increase in a number of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in our communities. Areas, where vaccination has declined, have registered a higher number of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and whooping cough. It is therefore advisable for parents to take their children through immunization process to prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the community.            

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