Childhood Immunizations And Why Some Children Are Not...

Childhood Immunizations and Why Some Children are not Getting Vaccines: A Literature Review Christie Canfield Central Carolina Community College Childhood Immunizations and Why Some Children are not Getting Vaccines: A Literature Review Abstract Recent outbreaks of measles has promoted renewed interest in childhood vaccinations. However, lingering doubts about the efficacy and safety of popular and recommended vaccines, specifically the DTP and MMR vaccines, remain. It is not necessarily the attenuated virus portion of the vaccines, but the ingredients which assist in the performance of the vaccines, that brings about concern. Some studies report that, at various times and in certain populations, vaccines may pose greater†¦show more content†¦One reason that is resurging in the media is the notion that vaccines can be linked to autism. In the middle is the result: cases of measles, mumps and rubella are occurring and populations of children are at risk to contract these preventable viruses. It is therefore important to examine whether vaccinations are indeed safe, if such vaccines pose adverse health risks, and exactly what the nature of reasons are as to why some children do not receive their immunizations. Much o f the controversy initially arose out of a study published originally in 1998. The Center of the Questions of Vaccine Safety In 1998 Wakefield et al. published the results of a study in the British Journal Lancet titled â€Å"Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children† (Wakefield, et al., 1998). What the researchers reported is the results of a study of 12 children who had been previously healthy, but were now presenting at a hospital with various complaints. These included a loss of acquired skills including language, and diarrhea and gastrointestinal pain. These children underwent extensive tests which all returned with various results. Through the study Wakefield et al. (1998) found a correlation between these children’s symptoms and behaviors being