Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Should Nurse Practitioners Be Required To Record Immunizations In Immunization Information Systems?, Donald Gardenier, Lacey Eden, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy

Faculty Publications

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides the majority of childhood immunizations, has been in existence for over 20 years. The CDC also created the Immunization Information Systems (IIS) program in which states were allocated funding to create statewide immunization databases. The goal was to maintain a reliable immunization tracking system to keep children on schedule and avoid unnecessary immunizations. In most states, however, only health care providers who are enrolled in the VFC Program are required to enter data into the IIS. Should all providers be required to enter …

Best Practice For Prevention Of Vaccination Common Problems With Antipyretic/Analgesic Medications, Lacey M. Eden, Meridith G. Lind, Karlen E. Luthy, Janelle L. B. Macintosh

Faculty Publications

Nurse practitioners are on the front lines providing parental education regarding vaccines. Some reasons for vaccine hesitancy include the potential common mild problems of vaccine administration, such as pain and/or elevated temperature. According to research, prophylactic administration of an antipyretic/analgesic medication, such as acetaminophen, reduces common mild problems related to vaccines when administered before or at the time of vaccination. Additionally, the evidence that prophylactic administration of antipyretic/analgesic medication decreases antibody response to vaccinations is insufficient at this time. However, this research has led to some confusion on best practice guidelines. This review of the literature resulted in recommendations that …

Global Immunizations: Health Promotion And Disease Prevention Worldwide, Janelle L. B. Macintosh, Lacey M. Eden, Karlen E. Luthy, Aimee E. Schouten

Faculty Publications

Background: Immunizations are one of the most important health interventions of the 20th century, yet people in many areas of the world do not receive adequate immunizations. Approximately 3 million people worldwide die every year from vaccine-preventable diseases; about half of these deaths are young children and infants. Global travel is more common; diseases that were once localized now can be found in communities around the world.

Problems: Multiple barriers to immunizations have been identified. Healthcare access, cost, and perceptions of safety and trust in healthcare are factors that have depressed global immunization rates.

Interventions: Several global organizations have focused …