reply to Angelique T:

Week 1: Discussion Question 2 – Vaccinations

Vaccination has been among the most complex issues in the healthcare industry, with populations worldwide being exposed to different myths, misunderstandings, and lack of knowledge. However, despite the various issues surrounding the development and administration of vaccines, they have played a critical role in preventing childhood diseases and managing public health concerns and pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic (Geoghegan et al., 2020). The first vaccine was developed in 1796 and was vital in eliminating smallpox, thereby highlighting one of the main benefits of vaccines. Despite the primary benefits associated with vaccines, the past few decades have seen the spread of misinformation, which is considered one of the critical factors that led to the outbreak of diseases such as measles. For instance, misinformation led to the general belief that the MMR vaccine leads to autism, leading to millions of people avoiding the mumps, measles, and rubella vaccines. 

Misrepresentation of biological and clinical data in studies was among the key reasons why the public shunned these vaccines, and in turn, the three diseases affected a vast number of people worldwide (Geoghegan et al., 2020). The lack of adequate information, especially about how vaccines work and whether they are safe, is among the issues surrounding their general acceptance, as witnessed during COVID-19. When considering these issues, engaging with a patient who wants more information about a vaccine would include reviewing specific elements such as safety, availability, and possible short-term and long-term side effects and dispelling myths (Orenstein & Ahmed, 2017). For instance, when dealing with parents, it is vital that they know how vaccines improve a child’s health and how the immune system will be impacted.