Should I Get My Child Vaccinated? Make an informed choice… your child is worth it! This is a question many parents/guardians ponder as it is an important choice and responsibility that you have been given. All of the information on the Internet can sometimes be overwhelming. Here you will find all the information you need to make an informed decision knowing the information you will receive has been gathered from multiple sources. The intent is to provide you with non-biased information about vaccinations. When you have completed this module, you should feel comfortable with the choice you have made for your child regarding vaccinations. Start

Should I Get My Child Vaccinated? Topic 1: Know the basics of vaccinations Topic 2: Possible side effects of vaccinations Topic 3: Why vaccinations are recommended Topic 4: Your right of choice: Exemptions

Topic 1: Know The Basics Of Vaccinations Lesson 1: What Are Vaccinations Lesson 2: Vocabulary Commonly Used Lesson 3: Common/Controversial Ingredients Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice Topic 1: Objectives Topic 1 Start Slide 3

Topic 1: Know The Basics Of Vaccinations Objectives Topic 1 Objectives Slide 4 By the end of Topic 1 you will be able to understand the basics of vaccinations. The goal is for you to understand what vaccinations are at the most basic level so you can understand the more controversial information later on in this course. This knowledge provides the foundation for developing a clear choice when you complete this course. The types of things you will learn in Topic 1 include:  The difference of vaccinations, immunizations, and vaccines.  The different ways vaccines are administered to children.  Understand the various ingredients in vaccines.  Agencies that regulate vaccinations.  The effectiveness of vaccines.

Lesson 1: What Are Vaccinations? A vaccination is the use of vaccines to prevent specific diseases. It is also defined as the introduction into humans or domestic animals of microorganisms that have previously been treated to make them harmless for the purpose of inducing the development of immunity. What does this mean? Hover computer mouse over lower left hand corner of box and press “play” button to find out. Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 5 *Insert Video

Ways Vaccines Are Administered The most common way to administer a vaccine to a child is by the injectable form, usually in the arm or thigh of the child. There is a common alternative for administering a influenza vaccine, which is by FluMist. This is given as nasal spray made with an attenuated live virus. This is a good option for children that don’t do well with needles. Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 6

Correct Vaccine Effectiveness: Pro Vaccinations The effectiveness of vaccines has been debated for years. You can find more information on this from the links provided in the “resources” section of this module. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most childhood vaccines are 90-99% effective in preventing disease. It is still possible for children to get a disease after they have been vaccinated for that disease; however, the symptoms should be milder compared to children that haven’t received the vaccine. The risk of serious complications also decreases immensely. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all vaccines must be licensed before they are available to the public. Rigorous research and tests on vaccines happen before the vaccine will be approved for a license by the FDA to ensure the safety and effectiveness. Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 7

Epidemics for infectious diseases were common in the United States before vaccinations. These epidemics killed thousands of people each year in the United States. Children were especially susceptible. Here are some historical facts relating to the results of vaccines: Before 1985, Hib caused serious infections in 20,000 children each year, including meningitis (12,000 cases) and pneumonia (7,500 cases).  In 2002, there were 34 cases of Hib disease. Before 1963, more than 3 million cases of measles reported. 90% of children had measles by age 15.  In 2002, there were 44 cases of measles In 1952, polio paralyzed more than 21,000 people.  In 2002, there were no cases of polio in the United States. In the 1920s, there were 100,000 to 200,000 cases of diphtheria each year and 13,000 people died from the disease.  In 2002, there was only one case of diphtheria in the United States. Source: National Network for Immunization Information Vaccine Effectiveness: Pro Vaccinations Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 8

Why Is A Vaccine Recommended When A Disease Is Near Elimination? Outbreaks of infectious diseases can still occur due to children who aren’t immunized and children where the vaccine wasn’t effective. The elimination of vaccines will cause the diseases to return. Children who are not vaccinated against measles are 35 times more likely than immunized children to catch the disease. Ten years ago (during the 1989 to 1991 measles epidemic), state health departments in the United States reported 55,622 measles cases, 11,251 hospitalizations, and 125 deaths. Research has shown that these epidemic numbers are due to the fact that in some areas only 50% of preschool-aged children had received the vaccine. Other countries do not have the same levels of immunization that we benefit from in the United States. Therefore, we must all remain protected with vaccines because dangerous diseases largely under control in the United States can still be contracted in countries Americans travel to. Source: National Network for Immunization Information Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 9

Correct Vaccine Effectiveness: Against Vaccinations The decline in disease over the past decades has been based on factors, such as better nutrition, clean drinking water, improved sanitation, decreased overcrowding, and better living conditions. Unless an epidemic of a particular disease arises in the United States, it is difficult to know if the vaccine intended for the prevention of that disease will be effective. A whooping cough epidemic occurred in 2010 despite high rates of children with the vaccination. Hover computer mouse over lower left hand corner of box and press “play” button to find out. Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 10 Insert Video

Vaccine Effectiveness: Against Vaccinations The graph to the right explains why better nutrition and medical services provided to children in 1944 was the cause for the decrease of diphtheria and not the vaccine, which was distributed in The decline continued after social and health reforms in Note: The graph includes statistics from England and Wales…not the United States. Source: Child Health Safety Topic 1 Lesson 1 Slide 11

Lesson 2: Vocabulary Commonly Used We know now what a vaccination is, but how is a vaccine different? You may notice that some people will refer to these two terms as the same. Vaccine: A preparation of killed microorganisms, living attenuated organisms, or living fully virulent organisms that is administered to produce or artificially increase immunity to a particular disease. Virulent: Extremely dangerous and deadly and usually spreading very quickly. Attenuated: To make (something) weaker or less in amount, effect, or force. This would be “non-virulent.” Immunization: The process of building up immunity by taking a vaccine. Topic 1 Lesson 2 Slide 12

Correct Stop And Think Exercise Would the ingredient used in the process of developing vaccinations in this video be acceptable to you? Do you agree with her assessment? Hover computer mouse over lower left hand corner of box and press “play” button to find out. Topic 1 Lesson 3 Slide 17 Insert Video

Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice There will be 10 questions in this practice you should answer before moving on to Topic 2. Question 1: What is not one of the most common vaccine types given to children? Answer by clicking on box. Live attenuated Subunit Recombinant Vector Killed (inactivated) Correct! Click the forward button to move on to the next question when you get the correct answer. Topic 1 Practice Slide 20

Question 2: What agency researches and develops new vaccines and continuously evaluates existing vaccines? Answer by clicking on box. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) The National Vaccine Program Office Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice Click the forward button to move on to the next question when you get the correct answer. Topic 1 Practice Slide 21

Question 3: The measles vaccine was licensed in what year? Answer by clicking on box Know The Basics Of Vaccinations- Practice Click the forward button to move on to the next question when you get the correct answer. Topic 1 Practice Slide 22

Sorry…Wrong Answer Click Click the forward button to move on to Topic 2 if you have completed the 10 question practice test. Topic 1 Practice Slide 30

SORRY…WRONG ANSWER

Correct Congratulations You have completed this module. By now you should have a clear understanding of vaccinations and are comfortable with your answer to… “Should I Get My Child Vaccinated?” Please continue for the sources used in this module, which you can check out to get further information. You Did It Slide 74

Correct Sources Merriam-Webster online dictionary- Online medical dictionary- Kid’s Health “Your Child’s Immunizations”- Web MD explanation of FluMist- vaccine YouTube “Vaccination - How Do Vaccines Prevent Illness - What Is Immunization” 22 May National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases. “Types of Vaccines” 03 April The History of Vaccines “Top 20 Questions about Vaccination”- Vaccine Awareness Network “The Herd Immunity Theory - Treating Our Children Like Cattle”- Sources Slide 75