IMMUNIZATION - A process that stimulates the body's immune system to defend against attack by a particular contagious disease. Immunization can happen naturally by having the disease or through vaccinations.
Immunizations started in the USA (roughly) in the 1920's with the diphtheria vaccine. They later went on to develop vaccinations for pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, HIB, varicella, and pcv7 (pneumococcal - meningitis, pneumonia, blood poisoning, ear infections).
The WHO is the world health organization and they are 30 years old. They work with six childhood diseases and their goal is to encourage countries to adopt EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunization) vaccines as the basis of their national programmes for childhood immunizations. I'm bringing them up because they work with different countries like Europe and China; and since they introduced EPI to them, death rates have diminished significantly. you can google who.int to find out more. Before the WHO, I assume either these countries didn't think too highly of vaccines or didn't have access to them. I don't think this knowledge will impede my future work, but it is good to know that the rest of the world will soon be "on the same page" (in regards to vaccinations).
I chose this topic as my public health issue because it's a good and bad for me. Don't get me wrong I'm happy they've come up with vaccinations for diseases that used to kill us and our children. These diseases are just about eradicated (at least in this part of the world). I applaud the individual that came up with the idea. I just hope we as a society don't take it too far. What I personally don't like is the constant new vaccinations that their making.
I had chicken pox twice - I feel it's a childhood "right of passage" if you may. I was so disturbed to find out that it was now mandatory for my children to be vaccinated against it. I feel these new vaccines that are soon to come may be unnecessary. I feel there isn't a need for vaccines for the illnesses that we catch and can fight off naturally. Before you know it, it'll be mandated that children have a common cold vaccine!
