Respond to the following 2 posts utilizing atleast 2 APA referencing for each post. Provide your own examples of situations in which you have had to discuss immunizations/vaccines. What suggestions might you provide your peers in terms of dealing with misinformation related to this topic? Post 1 Post 2 The advanced practiced registered nurse (APRN) is responsible for providing care to patients across the lifespan. The APRN should be knowledgable when providing care to adults and pediatric patients. The patient scenario presents with a 3-month-old child who is scheduled to receive immunizations, but the mother is refusing immunizations at the current visit. In providing care to patients, it is important for the APRN to be knowledgable regarding immunizations and the impact they have on an individuals health. Herd immunity offers protection to a population when an adequate number of people are immune to an infectious disease to prevent its spread (Virk & Samdarshi, 2020). In understanding the concept of herd immunity, it can help those who are not vaccinated from contracting an infectious disease. With that being said, infectious diseases are responsible for one-quarter of all deaths each year (Lim & Zhang, 2020). When herd immunity occurs, it will hopefully prevent the spread of a disease. However, this is not guaranteed. Therefore, the APRN should properly educate patients about the importance and safety of immunizations to patients. The state I currently reside in is California. California currently has a vaccination rate of 68.6% with a target goal of 80% (Increasing Vaccination Rates, 2020). This vaccination rate is relatively good for the state of California, given its high population. With that being said, it is important for all healthcare providers to continue to educate patients about vaccinations. In doing so, will help ensure more patients are vaccinated and help protect their lives. The APRN serves a role of educator, as well as, healthcare provider. For this specific patient scenario, there is some leeway that can offered to the mother. Since the patient is 3-months-old, there are no scheduled vaccines for this child at this time. The vaccination schedule for children are primarily given at birth, 1st and 2nd months, and then again at 4 months (Birth- 18 Years Immunization Schedule, 2020). Therefore, the APRN should educate the mother of the child that there is no need for immunizations today at her current 3 month check-up. However, the patient is scheduled for immunizations on her 4 month check-up. The APRN should properly educate the patients mother about the vaccination schedule and the importance of vaccinations moving forward.
