Vaccines

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Importance of Vaccinations
Vaccination or immunization plays a crucial role in promoting a healthy living among people of all age groups. In particular, vaccines which are substances made from weakened or dead microorganisms capable of causing diseases, help to prevent many infections attributed to communicable diseases (Delany, Rappuoli, and De Gregorio 708). This has been particularly important in children who are at the greatest risk of infection by infectious diseases (Singh et al. 625).
Vaccinations are effective in the prevention of various diseases. The one notable case where this was observed was in Ocean County, New Jersey where vaccination was one of the strategies for managing the recent measles outbreak reported between October 13 and November 9, 2018, with 14 cases confirmed (“Communicable Disease Service”). Although measles is a common childhood disease, it also affects adolescents and adults who are exposed to the virus but had not been vaccinated or never had measles. As a result, anyone who had visited the places where the outbreak was reported was advised to seek medical attention for evaluation and a possible vaccination. It is important to note that measles vaccine is only available as a combination of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine that is given in a schedule outlined by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for persons of different ages (McLean et al. 20).
In general, vaccines are considered safe and effective and for use.

Vaccinations, therefore, help in protecting other people from acquiring infectious diseases. This helps to protect future generations and reduce healthcare expenditure (Scudder A7). For instance, the State of New Jersey Department of Health noted that vaccination could protect up to 90% of individuals who have come into close contact with persons with measles virus from acquiring the infection (“Communicable Disease Service”).
Works Cited
“Communicable Disease Service.” Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB), NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Office of Information Resources Management (OIRM), Bureau of Geographic Information Systems (BGIS), www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml.
Delany, Isabel, Rino Rappuoli, and Ennio De Gregorio. “Vaccines for the 21st century.” EMBO molecular medicine 6.6 (2014): 708-720.
McLean, Huong Q., et al. “Prevention of measles, rubella, congenital rubella syndrome, and mumps, 2013: summary recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).” Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Recommendations and Reports 62.4 (2013): 1-34.
Scudder, Laurie. “The Importance of Vaccinations.” The Journal for Nurse Practitioners 9.4 (2013): A7-A8.
Singh, M., et al. “Prevalence and risk factors for transmission of infection among children in household contact with adults having pulmonary tuberculosis.” Archives of disease in childhood 90.6 (2005): 624-628.