Dangerous childhood diseases can be prevented, including serious complications, which can be fatal in children and infants by receiving immunization (vaccinations) set of shots. Also, immunization prevents diseases from being contracted in the general population. A scientific article published in the Journal of American Medical Association, indicated that those who did not receive measles vaccine due to philosophical or religious reasons were thirty-five times more likely to contract measles, and could potentially increase the incidence of measles in their community by at thirty percent.
According to Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to twenty-three injects are needed through eighteen months of age. These include vaccinations that prevent:
Hepatitis ‘A’ and ‘B’: Inflammation of the liver or liver disease.
Polio: Causes muscle paralysis and can result in death (Recommended that children have four doses of inactivated polio vaccination between the age of two months and six years.)
Influenza type ‘B’: Epidemics of respiratory illness.
Measles: Contagious and infectious viral disease that occurs most often in the late winter and spring (One out of 1000 people with measles will develop inflammation of the brain and about one out of 1000 will die).
Mumps: Contagious and viral infections, primarily affects the parotoid glands — one of the three pairs of salivary glands, located below and in front of the ears. Not uncommon to develop inflammation and swelling of the brain and other organs.
Rubella (German Measles): Contagious infection of the skin and lymph nodes. Children who are infected with rubella before birth are at risk for mental retardation, growth retardation, malformation of the heart and eyes, deafness, and liver, spleen, and bone marrow health concerns. In some cases, results in miscarriage and stillbirth.
Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs cause by (microorganisms) includes: Bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
Meningitis: Inflammation caused by bacteria or viruses resulting in inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This infection is highly contagious.
Diphtheria: Contagious and bacterial disease that usually affects the tonsils, throat, nose or skin.
Tetanus (Lockjaw): Condition that affects the nervous system and causes painful uncontrolled muscle spasms.
Whopping cough (Pertussis): Communicable and infectious disease of the respiratory mucous membrane cause by a bacterium called pertussis. Children under four years of age are more perceptible to pneumonia, asphyxia, convulsions and brain damage.
Normal side effects of vaccinations include: Slight fever, swelling and pain in the injection area or some discomfort. If more serious symptoms occur: Advisable to contact the child’s physician immediately. Barbara Loe Fisher, the co-founder and president of the National Vaccine Information Center said: “You need to be clear about the contraindications to vaccine, know how to identify a vaccine reaction and make sure that doctors are cautious about proceeding with vaccinations after worsening health after a vaccination.”
In August 2006, Amy Pisani director of Every Child By Two: The Carter/Bumpers Campaign for Early Immunization of Every Child By Two said: “Despite the success of increasing the number of children being vaccinated, what is very troublesome is that 2.1 million children are not getting timely vaccinations. Rates among African – American children are actually 13 percentage points lower than white and Hispanic children.” When a child misses their immunization schedule, most can’t catch up and are vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases.”
In January 2007, Members of the advisory committee to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended, Sanofi pasteur (Bethesda, Maryland – The vaccine business of the sanof-aventis.) group, unanimously approve the company’s’ combination vaccine called Pentacel(R) for use in pediatric patients. The vaccine protects against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib). The vaccine underwent clinical studies involving more than 5,000 children in multi-center trials, conducted in the United Sates and Canada. Few adverse events have been reported in children receiving Pentacel. The drug manufacture, recommends the vaccine be given in four doses, at two months, four months, six months and at fifteen months to 18 months. If Pentacel receives FDA approval, could eliminate seven of the twenty-three federal recommended injections through the age of eighteen months.
John Modlin, one panel member of the advisory committee said: “It’s simple and easier and probably in the end less expensive to get them all at once, which most parents consider a big advantage.” Pentacel licensed in nine countries, including Canada (The vaccine has been administered in Canada, over 12.5 million doses.), since 1997. According to investment firm Sanford C. Berstein, provided FDA approves Pentacel, Sanofi pasteur expected sales growth to $300 million by 2010, from an estimated $46 million in 2006. Expected by March 9, 2007, Food and Drug Administration will approve Pantacel vaccine.
Physicians administered Pediarix (Combination of pediatric vaccinations.) made by GlaxoSmithKline, which may likely be switch to Pentacel, if approved, but protects against hepatitis ‘B’ instead of Hib (Haemophilus influenzae)
