Vaccination Introduction

VACCINATION
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(05, October, 2010)

Vaccination Introduction
Vaccination is the introduction of antigenic substances into the body of an organism to provide immunity to body infections. For diseases such as measles, mumps and Rubella, vaccination is the most preferred form of prevention since it is effective. Vaccines are the medical substances that contain the weakened specimens of the disease causing pathogens, which are the inactivated bacteria or viruses.
Vaccination of measles
Measles is an infectious disease that is caused by a virus; this disease is the most common cause of deaths amongst children aged below 5 years or even above. There has been recorded severe cases of measles both in the UK and US . Children in the United Kingdom are offered the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) jab vaccine at the age of between 12 and 15 months old and booster a dose before they start school (Shepherd, 2004). However a quarter of children under five years have been observed to miss both injections. The Doctors reports across the UK on measles outbreaks warn of a possible epidemic (Tracy & Gustafson, Et al. 1987).
At one point, Macara said “our attempts to persuade people have failed. The suggestion is that we ought to consider making a link which in effect would make it compulsory for children to be immunized if they are to receive the benefits of a free education from the state.” she went to the point of submitting a motion to the British Medical Association’s annual conference.
Measles is characterized by fever, cough, running nose, loss of appetite and pinkish eyes, these symptoms may last for 3-5 days. Small white spots appear inside the mouth, followed by a rush .The most dangerous phase is 2-3 days after the appearance of a rush. Measles is an air borne disease.
The prevention of measles is only through vaccination, the vaccines Measles, Mumps and Rubella(MMR) is 99% effective in the prevention of measles. The unimmunized person can be save if given the MMR vaccine within 72 hours of contact with the virus. The MMR vaccine can be preferably given in two phases, phase one dose is at the age of 15 months while phase two can be given at the age of four years (Leask & McIntyre, 2008). Adults can also access the vaccine if necessary, a person born after 1969 can have high chances of contracting the disease, It is advisable for travelers to be vaccinated against measles before going to a place in order to limit the chances of spreading this disease.
Vaccinations have restrictions concerning the person to be immunized, there before any vaccination it is advisable to seek medical advice from a qualified Medical personnel. In the case of MMR a victim who has experienced anaphylaxis during the first dose of the vaccine should seek medical advice before attempting the next dose. According to Gordon & Babbott, (1984) the pregnant women are also prone to severe effects, people who have previously received live vaccines such as BCG Should also be restricted from MMR, also babies less than 12 months of age should be subjected to medical advice before being vaccinated.
If used inappropri...