Objective Information About The Mmr Vaccine example essay topic

HEA 105 Seminar Assignment. Gillian Devlin Cohort 27 The author of this assignment will discuss information relevant to the question shown in Appendix A, that could be used when talking to Mr and Mrs Jones regarding vaccinating their daughter Julie with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). The author will give objective information about the MMR vaccine. It will describe briefly, what MMR vaccine is and why it is used and give relevant background information regarding Autism and its alleged link with the vaccine. It will highlight many of the available sources that are open to all parents who may or may not have concern over the safety of using the MMR vaccine and want accurate and up to date information. It will be indicated where this information can be found and how to access it, to enable them to decide what is best for their child.

An informal discussion would take place with Mr and Mrs Jones in comfortable and relaxed surroundings. The following information and facts could be given (avoiding jargon and complex technical detail) to Mr and Mrs Jones to enable them to make an informed choice in their own time and without feeling pressured. The MMR is a single vaccine that protects children from measles, mumps and rubella (also known as German Measles). It is given to children at thirteen months of age and again before starting infant school.

Two doses are given to ensure full protection from these viruses. The aim of the vaccine is to eliminate measles, mumps, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome (this when babies are born deaf, blind, heart problems, damage or other serious problems due to the mother contracting rubella in early pregnancy). There is a long background history in the use of the MMR vaccine, which has been in use for over 30 years in countries such as: "U. S since 1972, in Sweden and Finland since 1982 and the U.K. since 1988. More than 100 countries around the world now use the combined MMR Vaccine".

(Nursing Standard vol 17 pg 48/49). Discussion should take place with Mr and Mrs Jones, about the normally mild side effects to the vaccine if they had Julie vaccinated with MMR and the appropriate nursing responsibilities, e.g. 7 to 10 days after receiving the MMR vaccine their child may become feverish, devlope a slight rash and may go off their food. The nursing responsibilities would be "advise parents of antipyretics for fever and if fever persists and other illness occur, notify their GP" (Wally et al: pg 602). The mumps part of the vaccine has no real side effects, perhaps slight temperature increase and again advice should be given on antipyretics. With the rubella part of the vaccine, very rarely a child may develop burse like spots.

If these appear, see your GP as soon as possible. Very rarely children have severe reactions after any immunisation and if treated quickly will recover. It is important to discuss with Mr & Mrs Jones about the serious complications related to each individual disease as (illustrated in Appendices B fact sheet one) and the probable implications, if they chose not to vaccinate Julie. The risk of serious side effects from the actual disease far outweighs the possible risk to a child from any of the side effects to the immunisation. The controversy around the MMR combined vaccine centres on whether it may or may not cause autism or inflammatory bowel disease.

The suggestion largely came from one research team source at The Royal Free Hospital in London, which was led by Dr Andrew Wakefield. Autism was well known long before MMR was ever used in this country. There was no sudden increase in autism when MMR vaccine was first introduced in 1988. Parents often noticed the signs of autism in their children, around the time MMR is usually given. This does not mean one causes the other. Extensive research into this possibility shows there is no link between MMR and autism.

This research was carried out in the U. K, U.S.A., Sweden and Finland and involved thousands of children. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has agreed there is no proven link between MMR and autism and states, "WHO strongly supports the use of MMR vaccine on the grounds of its convincing record of safety and efficacy" (MMR Department of health: pg 5 07/05/03). But in spite of all the evidence, parents may still enquire about the use of single vaccine. If this is the case, the following information should be given to help inform their decision. "Using single vaccines would mean that six separate injections would have to be given over a longer period of time. There would be a fall in vaccination coverage, as experience shows more children would not complete the course of injections.

Children who complete the course are left without protection in the gaps between injections. Babies may catch the disease from their older brothers and sisters who are unprotected between the separate injections. Children who cannot have the MMR Vaccine, such as those having treatment for cancer would be more exposed to infection. Pregnant women will be at greater risk from their own unprotected children and the children of their friends". (NHS immunisation information: pg 5) Separate measles and mumps vaccines are not licensed for use in the U.K. Sources of Information used in this talk came from books, videos, magazines, N.H.S. information packs and web sites as indicated in the bibliography I also accessed information from a children's immunisation clinic and two different doctors surgeries, all of whom were only too happy to offer information and advice. In conclusion, the evidence shows that MMR is a safe and effective vaccine that is NOT linked to autism.

For more than thirty years the MMR Vaccine has been in use and as a result hundreds of millions of children have been protected. Where the MMR Vaccine is available, no country recommends giving the vaccine separately There is no doubt, that parents always face real dilemmas when it comes to protecting their children's health. All want to do what is right by their children; that is a parent's responsibility. However, it is the government's responsibility to ensure that the care and treatment it makes available is the best possible.

In this case, all the experts advise that MMR is the safest and best option for children and that single vaccines are definitely second best. For this fundamental reason, the government does not support the use of separate vaccines. The latest scientific evidence shows no link between MMR and long-term problems, such as autism and inflammatory bowel disease and that MMR remains the safest way to protect children against these three potentially serious diseases.

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Appendix A Scenario Two Mr and Mrs Jones are a young married couple with one baby daughter called Julie. Mr Jones has a bother whose 5 year old son has recently been diagnosed as being autistic. Julie is approaching her first birthday and has reached all the significant milestones indicating that she is healthy and developing well. Now Mr and Mrs Jones have to decide whether or not attend clinic to have Julie routinely vaccinated for MMR. Question 2 Discuss the information that would help Mr and Mrs Jones make an informed choice. The author of this assignment will discuss information relevant to the question shown in Appendix A, that could be used when talking to Mr and Mrs Jones regarding vaccinating their daughter Julie with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR). Bibliography.