To prevent high child mortality, vaccinations need to take centre stage in any nursing health policy. In the past, children health conditions such as polio, tuberculosis, and diphtheria, among others, led to high infant mortality due to lack of vaccination. Today, things have changed in the state of Minnesota with regards to vaccination issues. In this state, vaccination policy is regulated by the School Immunization Law where parents are required to demonstrate that their school-going children (up to grade 12) have been vaccinated or exempted from the same (National Vaccine Information Center, 2019). I believe that school-going children should be vaccinated to prevent them from imminent death as a result of these ailments. It is my belief and philosophy that any society that does not .take care of the health of their younger generation risks extinction. Evidence shows that vaccination has been able to reduce the level of child mortality to manageable levels. Vaccination awareness should be increased to help parents and guardians understand the issues at hand.
In the case of Minnesota, the information then helps the Annual Immunization Status Report (AISR) to monitor the extent of immunization. It is important to note that the state of Minnesota grants vaccination exemptions based on philosophical, religious, or medical grounds. It has been argued that exemptions given on grounds other than medical are questionable given the recent reemergence of conditions that were thought to be eliminated. Scientific evidence suggests that unvaccinated children serve as the source of viruses or disease-causing organisms that majorly contribute to outbreaks. From a medical perspective, the state of Minnesota is at health risk due to philosophical or religious beliefs that are associated with such health conditions. Minnesota has a vaccination rate of about 90% which is well below the 95% rate envisaged by the state (National Vaccine Information Center, 2019). I believe that vaccination should be administered to school-going children to help them live a healthy life and prevent early childhood mortality. Lack of vaccination is detrimental to the well-being of children and should not be encouraged. To mitigate against this situation, the state should only exempt vaccinations, for children entering school, only on medical grounds. The School Immunization Law aims to accomplish three main objectives which include the elimination of any possibility of children disease outbreaks, their source, and the improvement of the general welfare of children. In Minnesota, this law exempts children from immunization if guardians or parents of the child sign a notarized statement and submit the same to the concerned authorities because of their beliefs. However, I believe that this section holds no meaningful ground irrespective of its religious or philosophical connotation. The second section of the law nullifies this assumption by not granting any exemption except on medical grounds. Subdivision 1 of the law states that it is mandatory for children to be immunized except in situations of medical considerations (Office of the Reservoir of Statutes, 2008).
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It is my belief that this section ought to be deleted based on my religious and philosophical beliefs. I believe that every individual in society ought to have the best things in life. It is this belief that makes me feel that vaccination should be prioritized because it not only affects the health of children but also helps them to become productive members of society. This will reinforce the idea that the law should not grant any exemption but only in cases that are considered under medical grounds. There are various inconsistencies in law which I believe should be amended to grant every child the right to live a healthy life. I feel that the law should make it absolutely clear that vaccination is not a choice but something that is compulsory. It does not matter what type of beliefs or philosophies that any individual or society holds so long as it ensures that its younger generation is not exposed to health risks due to lack of vaccination.
It is, therefore, recommended that legislative policies need to be informed by popular consensus from public interest groups, businesses, or state agencies. The introduction of this bill in the House of Representatives or in the Senate has to be drafted with this consideration in mind to help it to be signed into law. It is, therefore important to identify any political interest that supports such a move. This bill, of promoting the health of people residing in Minnesota, should incorporate several sectors such as nursing organizations and schools. The department of health understands the dangers posed by the failure of children to get vaccination. They also have an understanding of the costs involved in controlling disease outbreaks. With their full expertise and knowledge, they can be able to initiate changes in law to make a difference. There are also other groups of champions for the bill in schools districts. The law requires that schools collect data to understand the effects related to lack of vaccines in children. These groups can advocate for children immunization to protect the welfare of children. This will consequently improve children's health. Another group of advocates consists of the medical fraternity and the nursing organizations because they understand the importance of childhood vaccinations.
References
National vaccine Information Centre (2019). Minnesota State Vaccine Requirements. Retrieved from: https:///www.nvic.org/Vaccine-Laws/state-vaccine-requirements/minnesota.aspx
Office of the Revisor of Statutes (2018). 2018 Minnesota Statutes. Retrieved from: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/121A.15
