The public health topic that I chose for this week is Immunization.
I think that this topic is an important one. I am a mother and a wife and I see immunizations as a way to protect my children from getting sick and it also prevents me from getting sick and passing anything on to them.
I looked at UNICEFs website and found an artcile from October last year.
"Malawi introduces the rotavris vaccine to reduce diarrhoea illness & deaths among children"
(by the way, I have never seen such a spelling for diarrhoea)
Anyway, the artcile stated that diarrhoea and pnemonia are the 2 leading killers of children in Malawi accounting for nearly 25% of under- five deaths (2012).
I find this information exciting in the way that Malawi now has the vaccinations but also sad because they have not had it for a long time and those illnesses caused so many deaths.
I think that this information has impacted my future in that I will not take any vaccinations for granted and I think I will read more about UNICEF to see if there is any way that I can help.
Here is the website I found the article in case anyone else would like to read it: http://www.who.int/immunization/GIN_November_2012.pdf
Wow great choice. It is very sad that another part of the world isn't as able as we are to just take their kids to a doctor and receive immunizations. I agree with you regarding not taking vaccinations for granted. It's great to hear that Malawi now has access to the vaccinations.
ReplyDeleteHi Christina, Immunizations have done a great deal to both saving lives and protecting the health of so many. It is a shame that there are still some out there not reached by immunizations. I am posting a link to an article I came across on breastfeeding and the risk for diarrhea morbidity and mortality. The article was retrieved from
ReplyDeletehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-S3-S15
Very interesting information. Cindy Ferguson
Christina,
ReplyDeleteKnowing the ability of immunizations to prevent many childhood diseases, I agree that it is very unfortunate that there are many who dont have the opportunity to become vaccinated. Here in the US immunizations are readily available but sadly some parents still opt against it. As a child growing up in Sri Lanka I remember my mother taking me and my brother to a local health clinic to become vaccinated against Polio. We didn't have regular well-child visits as we do here in the US but my parents knew well enough to keep us up to date with our immunizations. I have a cousin in Sri Lanka who is disabled for life. The family believes the disability was caused by being administered an expired vaccine. I am thankful that my daughter has access to a health care system that will help keep her well. Many throughout the world don't have that same luxury.
It is sad that policy makers in other countries don't put immunizations for people first. This is a good topic for discussion. Thanks.
ReplyDelete