Immunization
Review the YouTube video Adult Vaccines and Immunization Update, 2019–2020 that is featured in the instructional materials. Then respond to each of the following points.
Identify two adult vaccinations and describe the illness that they help prevent.
List a misconception or reason that contributes to the older population forgoing these vaccinations.
Develop a solution that could increase the number of adults who are willing to receive these immunizations.
Sample Paper
Two Adult Vaccinations and The Illness That They Help Prevent
Two adult vaccinations recommended by the ACP include the Hepatitis A vaccine and influenza vaccination. Hepatitis A vaccine is given two to three doses depending on the vaccine administered. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for those who meet age requirements, have no evidence of infection or documentation of vaccination. Special situations that may result in an adult being vaccinated are those with risk factors for hepatitis A, liver disease, or living with HIV/AIDS. The HPV vaccine is administered in three doses through age 26 years, but it is not administered during pregnancy (American College of Physicians, 2021). Hepatitis A vaccine prevents Hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver disease that is spread through close personal contact with an infected person or when someone ingests the virus from food, objects, or drinks that are contaminated. The hepatitis virus causes the inflammation of the liver affecting its ability to function. Th vaccine provides long-term protection. The HPV vaccine, on the other hand, prevents infections caused by the human papillomaviruses (HPV), which comprises more than 200 related viruses. It mainly prevents cervical cancer and prevents other types of cancers such as vaginal, vulvar, mouth, throat, anal, and neck cancers in both men and women.
A Misconception or Reason That Contributes to The Older Population Forgoing These Vaccinations
Vaccine hesitancy has been named by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten threats to global health. One of the misconceptions that affect the willingness of adults to be vaccinated is the belief that vaccines are a threat to their health. This stems from the concern about the safety of the vaccine, with the majority worrying about adverse events related to vaccines. According to Geoghegan, O’Callaghan, and Offit (2020), safety concerns stem from fear of various adjuvants such as aluminum, inactivating agents such as formaldehyde, preservatives such as mercury, and other components. The majority hold the belief that vaccines overwhelm the body and may weaken the immune system. They believe that this may harm the body, even putting them at the risk of death. For example, the HPV vaccine coverage in adults aged between 18 and 26 years is 21.5%, which is low (Sonawane et al., 2021). There has been an exposure of the adults to vaccine misinformation through traditional and social media, leading to the negative perception of vaccine safety.
A Solution that Would Increase Number of Adults Willing to Receive the Vaccine
To increase the number of adults willing to receive vaccines, it is crucial to change their perspective about the safety of the vaccines. Evidence indicates that provider recommendation has a strong influence on decision-making around vaccines (Geoghegan, O’Callaghan, & Offit, 2020). It has been determined that well-informed discussions on the safety of vaccines have little impact on individuals. It has been pointed out that despite the existing scientific evidence supporting the safety of vaccines, counteracting false information held by adults remains a major challenge. The task is up to the frontline workers to offer recommendations. It is therefore important for them to have adequate understanding to empower them to provide strong advice that is backed by strong scientific evidence. Front line workers are in direct contact with the patients, families, and the community and can influence their decision towards vaccines. Health facilities should provide them with the necessary resources to reach out to a significant number of people.
References
American College of Physicians. (2021, March). ACP 2021 Adult Immunization Update. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjQGzou9nBQ
Geoghegan, S., O’Callaghan, K. P., & Offit, P. A. (2020). Vaccine Safety: Myths and Misinformation. Frontiers In Microbiology, 11, 372. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00372/full
Sonawane, K., Lin, Y. Y., Damgacioglu, H., Zhu, Y., Fernandez, M. E., Montealegre, J. R., … & Deshmukh, A. A. (2021). Trends in Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Safety Concerns and Adverse Event Reporting in The United States. JAMA Network Open, 4(9), E2124502-E2124502. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2784272
