Preventable Childhood Illnesses and the Importance of Vaccinations

by Charles E. Taylor, MPH, MT (ASCP)

As a new academic year begins this month, every family with children in school needs to check and update their vaccination records before school starts. Vaccinations are a public health measure to prevent or eliminate illnesses that are caused by known etiological agents (i.e. Measles, Mumps, Rubella). Etiological agents are bacteria or viruses that are implicated in causing illness in human beings.

Considered to be one of the most effective public health measures ever implemented, vaccinations have saved many lives and prevented numerous illnesses in populations throughout the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC&P). Complying with approved vaccination protocols and procedures protects both individuals and entire populations from preventable illnesses.

In the United States,
most individuals are vaccinated against most of the common etiological
agents by age two, and we have virtually eliminated many epidemics of
preventable child hood illnesses. In developing countries with little
or no access to vaccinations, those diseases are still widespread.

A growing public health concern is the likelihood of repeated exposure
of American residents to disease-causing agents in the underdeveloped
world, as a result of easier commercial and pleasure travel to such
areas. Exposure can spread disease even among those who show no
symptoms themselves: people who are asymptomatic can transmit the
pathogen. As the CDC and the Department of Health & Human Services
report, “vaccine preventable diseases are at or near record lows;
however, we cannot take high immunization coverage levels for granted.”
That’s why it’s essential that every school child be vaccinated as
required by law.

As a preventive measure to maintain the lowest possible levels of these
preventable diseases and protect America’s children and adults, the CDC
maintains the following objectives:

•    Obtain maximum immunization coverage in all populations
•    Establish effective partnerships (disease trend surveillance)
•    Conduct reliable scientific research
•    Implement immunizations systems
•    Ensure vaccine availability and safety

Vaccine Versus Immunization

The word “vaccine” refers to a preparation of a modified organism,
treated toxins, or parts of microorganisms that are used to stimulate
the immune system to produce antibodies or immune proteins. These
antibodies are produced by the human immune system in response to
foreign invasion by an etiological agent, and allow for processing of
these agents by the immune system prior to their propensity to cause
illness and disease. In other words, the etiological agent itself,
modified to make it less dangerous, is introduced into the body, which
develops its own defenses against the unmodified agent.

“Vaccination” is the physical introduction, by injection, of an
immunizing agent to the human body; this used to be called inoculation.
“Immunization” refers to the physiological process whereby the human
immune system processes the introduced vaccine material and initiates a
specific immune response to the foreign stimulating substance with the
subsequent formation of antibodies. These specific antibodies will
serve as the barricade necessary to impede the specific foreign invader
if a subsequent exposure to that particular agent should ever occur, thus conferring immunity to that particular etiological agent.

In short, first a vaccine is prepared, then it’s injected into the body
for your vaccination; after that you are immunized against the disease.

As with any scheduled medical treatment or procedures, patient
counseling and education are important in assuring that the vaccine
that is to be administered is recommended and safe, contraindications
have been explained and understood, and that a licensed professional
administer the vaccine as prescribed.

If you or your child’s vaccination record is not updated, please
contact your physician or your local health department, Buncombe County
Health Department, Immunization Division, at 828-250-5109.

To maintain a continuous state of well-being and good health, it has
long been advocated in the public health community: “An ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

Immunizations Required for School Enrollment

North Carolina law requires immunizations for every child in the state. Every parent, guardian or person in loco parentis is responsible for ensuring that their child(ren) receive required immunizations. If you have specific questions, please contact your health care provider or your local health department. North Carolina requires the following immunizations before your child can enroll in school:

Diptheria, tetanus, pertussis    5 doses
Polio    4 doses
Measles    2 doses
Mumps    1 dose
Rubella    1 dose
Influenza B    4 doses
Hepatitis B    3 doses
Chicken pox (varicella)    1 dose

A physician, health clinic or local health department administering required vaccines must give a Certificate of Immunization to the person who presented the child for immunization. The certificate/record must include the following information:

•    name, sex and date of birth;
•    name and address of parent or guardian;
•    number of vaccine doses given;
•    date vaccines were given (month and year is acceptable for out-of-state transfer students);
•    signature of physician or health department stamp.

– The Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices – January 2007