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”.