Immunizations: What Nurses Should Know

Immunizations
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Immunizations
The article by Perkins (2018) discusses the diverse elements related to immunization. The author acknowledges that different barriers exist against this disease-preventative process, leading to its slowed uptake and increased emergence of preventable diseases. As a result, Perkins (2018) debunks the various misconceptions and creates awareness about immunization to eradicate the resistance and support the war against diverse health conditions. The author emphasizes that healthcare providers have a fundamental role in educating the masses, eradicating negative perspectives, and promoting immunizations in their communities.
The Disease Condition or Topic
The topic discussed by Perkins (2018) has remained highly divisive and politicized globally. Thorpe et al. (2021) recognize this observation by indicating that despite the common understanding of the importance of vaccines, specific groups continue to oppose their use in communities. Perkins (2018) notes that immunization prevents over 332 million diseases and about 21 million admission cases. It also averts close to 732,000 mortality cases, yet the increasing opposition to the practice leaves more than 24 million children unvaccinated before one year. These benefits vis a vis the increasing rising refusal informs the discussions initiated by Perkins in this article.
Summary Paragraphs
Perkins (2018) explains the working mechanism of vaccines after immunization by providing a detailed account of the mechanisms the human body employs to fight infection and prevent its recurrence in the future. The explanations illustrate that the body generates specific antibodies and antigens that act as weapons against illness-causing bodies. Although it acknowledges the different types of immunities like innate, natural, and acquired, it focuses on the latter as the one stimulated through immunization. Iwasaki and Omer (2020) also clarified the working of this form recently after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their explanations are consistent with Perkins (2018) that vaccines are infection-imitating agents that assist the body in producing antibodies against specific diseases, leading to immunity.
Different types of vaccines exist depending on diverse factors, including the response of the immune system to the disease-causing germs, the germs’ nature, and the infection mechanism. Perkins (2018) indicates that vaccines such as the MMR targeting viruses are live attenuated, while polio is inactivated. Others, such as the DTaP, are toxoid, while the Hib ones are conjugated. The article also indicates that researchers are investigating the production of vaccines for diseases such as AIDS and malaria.
Although vaccines are a progressive approach to preventing diseases, their application requires careful consideration as outlined by existing recommendations. Perkins (2018) clarifies that the cautions vary from one vaccine to another and depend on the candidates’ specific aspects. One of the leading rules is that all individuals reacting to any vaccine parts should not receive the specific vaccine. For instance,...