Environmental Health Powerpoint

Running head: INFLUENZA VACCINATION 1

INFLUENZA VACCINATION 2

Influenza Vaccination

Caleb A. Jones

Fort Valley State University Influenza Vaccination

Introduction

Vaccination ranks among a number of issues in the realm of healthcare that has and continues to receive an immense measure of attention, and with good reason. Succinctly, some sections of the society are of the belief that vaccinations are highly critical for various reasons, which explains why they fiercely advocate for its continued use. On the other hand, certain individuals are strongly opposed to vaccinations, as they belief that the procedure is associated with downsides that are overall detrimental to the health of individuals (Kata, 2010). Given the divisive nature of vaccination, the topic continues to be mired in controversy all over the globe. Overall, irrespective of the stance taken by a person on this issue, vaccinations, in general, have both positive and negative aspects. The positive aspects of the phenomenon include the fact that it aids in preventing dangerous diseases (for instance, whooping cough and polio), provides protection for a lifetime, helps in preventing an immense outbreak of a disease from spreading all through the population (hence saving money), and is totally recommended by healthcare professionals.

In contrast, the negative aspects of vaccinations include the fact that it comes with some risks (in particular, there is a small likelihood that a child may end up developing a separate problem or have an unsavory reaction), there are concerns regarding the presence of disquieting chemicals in the vaccines, and they are usually obligatory (Kata, 2010). In this paper, a great deal of focus will be particularly paid to various issues surrounding influenza vaccination in the United States and Europe. Concisely, influenza vaccines aid in providing protection against infection that is brought about by influenza viruses. This paper seeks to present an argument that although influenza vaccines, as well as other vaccines, come with some concerns, they are beneficial to the society in many ways.

Background

To begin with, the maiden vaccines that were aimed at providing protection against viruses were based through the employment of weaker or attenuated viruses with a view to generating immunity. Just to cite an example, the smallpox vaccine made use of cowpox, which was a poxvirus that bore significant similarity to smallpox to provide protection against the disease. Moreover, rabies is known to be the maiden virus to be attenuated in a laboratory with the intention of coming up with a vaccine for human beings (CDC, 2012). Overall, vaccines are developed through the employment many diverse procedures. First off, the vaccines may carry live viruses that have undergone attenuation, that is, weakening or alteration in a bid to prevent illnesses from being caused. Secondly, the vaccines may carry viruses or organisms that have been killed or inactivated.

Thirdly, the vaccines may carry inactivated toxins, that is, for bacterial medical conditions in which toxins brought about by the bacteria (as opposed to the bacteria themselves) are known to cause illness. Fourthly, the vaccines may simply carry parts of the pathogen (this takes in both conjugate and subunit vaccines) (CDC, 2012). In addition, the live, attenuated vaccine list contains diseases such as smallpox, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, rotavirus, yellow fever, and shingles. Apart from this, the inactivated/killed vaccine list contains diseases such as hepatitis A, polio, and rabies. Moreover, the inactivated toxin vaccine list carries diseases such as diphtheria and tetanus. Lastly, the subunit/conjugate vaccine list contains diseases such as influenza, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, pertussis, haemophilus influenza type b, meningococcal meningitis and pneumococcal meningitis.

Further, following the discovery that vaccination had the potential to aid in protecting individuals against various health concerns, it has been overwhelmingly embraced by the sphere of healthcare. Indeed, since the use of vaccines became widespread in healthcare, the phenomenon has enjoyed massive success, with many affirming that it ranks among the leading success stories in the area of public health (Valenciano et al., 2011). An important case in point relates to the maiden vaccine, which was developed with a view to providing protection against smallpox. This medical condition had been in existence for over three millennia and had claimed the lives of millions of individuals, which explains why it was ranked among the most dreaded diseases in the globe. Nevertheless, following an extensive and painstaking process in healthcare, the condition the disease has been virtually wiped out.

Additionally, public conception of vaccinations has been ascertained to comprise diverse and deep-rooted beliefs, which have resulted from the tension between a diverse array of cultural points of view and value systems (Kata, 2010). Importantly, many prominent cultural points of view on vaccinations arise from an array of religious viewpoints and objections to vaccines, individual rights and the positions of public health toward vaccinations, as well as suspicion and lack of trust for vaccinations among diverse American and global cultures and communities. Overall, although some sections of the population are opposed to vaccinations due to the aforementioned reasons, the vaster proportion of people recognize the value of vaccinations and continue to use them.

About Influenza

Influenza, which is usually referred to as “the flu” relates to an infectious medical condition that is brought about by an influenza virus. Typically, the indications of the condition range from mild to severe, with the most common of the indications being high fever, muscle pains, tiredness, runny nose, coughing, sore throat, sneezing, as well as headache (Valenciano et al., 2011). Often, these indications appear two days after an individual becomes exposed to the virus. On top of this, the majority of the indications lasts fewer than one week. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that the cough may end up lasting for over two weeks.

Further, four variations of influenza viruses are in existence, that is, A, B, C, and D. To start with, human influenza A and B viruses have been ascertained to bring about cyclical spates of disease virtually each and every winter in the US. Additionally, influenza type C infections more often than not bring about a mild respiratory illness. Notably, influenza type C infections are never thought to bring about epidemics. Moreover, influenza D viruses principally have an impact on cattle and are never known to infect or bring about illness in human beings.

With respect to success rate, the CDC affirms that the flu vaccine diminishes the likelihoods of an individual getting the flu by approximately 60 percent (Belongia et al., 2011). However, this figure tends to vary from one year to another and among diverse clusters of individuals due to age and general health. Regarding complications, the CDC notes that just as with any other medical product, the flu vaccine has the potential to bring about side effects such as fever, muscle aches, headache, nausea, as well as soreness, redness, and/or swelling that results from the shot (Flannery et al., 2015). Nevertheless, these side effects tend to be mild and more often than not disappear on their own in just a few days.

The Latest Strain: A(H3N2)

To begin with, H3N2 flu relates to a subtype of influenza A. Further, even though indications of flu tend to be bear similarity irrespective of the strain of influenza, it has been determined that seasons where H3N2 is more pervasive in comparison to other influenza strains have been the toughest in terms of increased hospitalizations and deaths (Valenciano et al., 2011). Overall, the H3N2 strain tends to be extremely difficult to tackle using flu vaccines primarily owing to the fact that influenza A(H3N2) goes through regular genetic transformations. Nevertheless, vaccinations are beneficial to the efforts to deal with A(H3N2), as they have the potential to offer protection against this strain by up to 20 percent.

Although this level of effectiveness is not that great, it is still undoubtedly better than nothing. As of September 29, 2018, a total of 181 pediatric deaths had been reported to CDC during the 2017-2018 season. This number exceeds the previously highest number of flu-associated deaths in children reported during a regular flu season (171 during the 2012-2013 season). Approximately 80% of these deaths occurred in children who had not received a flu vaccination this season. (CDC. (2012) Additionally, in spite of the fact that vaccination is known to represent the best way through which influenza can be prevented, just around 40 million Americans are vaccinated against the condition every year. Rates of vaccination tend to be quite higher when it comes to older individuals and young children owing to the fact that they are the populations that tend to be most at-risk of death from the condition (Flannery et al., 2015).

The Latest Strain: A(H3N2): Concerns

First off, the documented cases of complications due to the vaccination are mostly the mild side effects that were discussed previously. Nevertheless, the CDC also notes that rare albeit severe side effects have the potential to crop up, which includes allergic reactions (Belongia et al., 2011). Succinctly, indications of severe side effects comprise trouble breathing, racing heart, high fever, swelling around the lips or eyes, dizziness, as well as hives. In case an individual experiences severe side effects, the CDC makes the point that they need to seek immediate medical attention. Apart from this, in extremely rare cases, certain individuals have ended up experiencing Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) after being vaccinated. Nevertheless, it remains unclear as to whether flu vaccine is the real cause of the condition under such circumstances. Additionally, the vaster proportion of clinical studies conducted on influenza vaccination has concluded that it is largely effective and comes with no serious negative complications, that is, if any.

Europe Flu Vaccination Process

To begin with, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control usually advocates the vaccination of the elderly as being of the utmost imperative. Further, the secondary priority for flu vaccination in the region relates to individuals grappling with chronic health concerns and those working in the realm of healthcare. In Europe, the approach adopted when it comes to influenza vaccination can be summed up as being aimed at the protection of vulnerable individuals as opposed to restricting the spread of the condition or wholly getting rid of human influenza sickness (Valenciano et al., 2011). Additionally, the success rate of flu vaccinations in Europe has been approximated to fall between 30 and 60 percent throughout the years. Notably, the low success rates in Europe have been mainly attributed to the challenges evident when it comes to dealing with difficult strains of the condition under focus.

Conclusion

Vaccines are undoubtedly beneficial to the society in various ways. In particular, they aid in the control of several diseases that have the potential to wreak havoc on the society if left unchecked. As such, individuals need to ensure that they receive the recommended vaccinations regularly for the betterment of their health. As shown throughout the years, failure to be vaccinated can pave the way for the development of many unsavory health concerns.

References