10 Facts About Immunizations and the Role of Nurses

10 Facts About Immunizations and the Role of Nurses

Historical Significance of Nurses in Immunization. Throughout the history of immunization, nurses have held a prominent position on the front lines of combating epidemics. Below, you’ll find 10 noteworthy facts about vaccinations, coupled with resources tailored for nurses.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Every August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is observed to emphasize the significance of vaccinations across all age groups. This year’s awareness campaign sheds light on pertinent discussions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine mandates, and the global vaccination endeavor.

The Theme: “#ivax2protect”

The focus of NIAM, as encapsulated by its theme “#ivax2protect,” centers on the pivotal role and significance of vaccinations in fostering unity, especially as we navigate the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC, this year, provides toolkits to facilitate communication between healthcare professionals about vaccines, alongside a toolkit designed for discussions with parents and patients.

Nurses’ Integral Role in Promoting Vaccinations

Nurses play a pivotal role in advocating for vaccinations, especially among young patients and those who harbor hesitations towards immunizations. Here are 10 compelling facts about vaccines and the multifaceted roles that nurses assume.

1. Commencement of Vaccine Development in the 18th Century

British physician Edward Jenner, revered as an immunization pioneer, made an insightful observation. He noted that individuals who contracted cowpox, a disease akin to smallpox, attained immunity to the latter after recovering from the former. Jenner utilized this knowledge to contribute to the creation of a smallpox vaccine. During Jenner’s era, London alone witnessed over 3,500 smallpox-related deaths. On a global scale, smallpox outbreaks spanned three millennia, claiming the lives of approximately 30% of those afflicted by it. In a monumental declaration, the WHO proclaimed the global eradication of smallpox in 1980.

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Subsequent to the development of the smallpox vaccine, other vaccines emerged:

Vaccine	Year Developed
Cholera	1885
Rabies	1885
Typhoid	1896
Diphtheria	1923
Yellow fever	1936
Pertussis	1939
Influenza	1945
Polio	1960
Measles	1963
Mumps	1967
Rubella	1969
Hepatitis B	1986
Hepatitis A	1995
Chickenpox	1996
Human papillomavirus	2006

10 Facts About Immunizations and the Role of Nurses

Historical Significance oxf Nurses in Immunization

Nurses have consistently held a prominent role in the delivery and advocacy of vaccines, particularly during outbreaks. In the early 20th century, public health nurses in eastern U.S. cities conducted home visits and established immunization clinics, effectively preventing diseases like polio and tuberculosis. These efforts were pivotal in curbing tuberculosis, which claimed more lives than any other ailment in 1900. Nurses also made significant contributions during the 1918 influenza outbreak and the 2009 H1N1 epidemic by administering vaccines at public immunization clinics.

Nursing Organizations and Advocacy for Immunization

Nursing organizations play a vital role in championing increased access to and awareness of immunization. The 317 Coalition, for instance, advocates for invoking Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act to secure additional funding for immunizing uninsured Americans. In 2017, the American Nurses Association (ANA) joined forces with other entities by co-signing a letter to the U.S. President. The letter presented evidence on vaccine safety and underscored the importance of sustaining immunization programs, citing instances like the 2014 measles outbreak at Disneyland.

The Preventive Power of Vaccines

Vaccines work by artificially stimulating the immune system through the introduction of disease-causing agents. These agents provoke a mild immune response, fostering immunity without causing illness. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vaccines averted 10 million global deaths from 2010 to 2015.

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Remarkable victories in immunization include an 80% decrease in U.S. measles cases from 1980 to 1981. By 1994, polio had been eradicated from the Americas and, later, Europe in 2002. Presently, polio remains endemic in only three countries due to the advent of a more potent vaccine in 2010.

Challenges persist, as evident in the ongoing struggle against pandemics like the current COVID-19 crisis and recent influenza outbreaks. The 1918 flu pandemic claimed an estimated 50 million lives before the advent of the flu vaccine. Today’s flu vaccines mitigate illness by 40-60%, preventing around 5,700 influenza-related deaths in the 2017-2018 period.

Retired Nurses Answering the Call

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has revised its regulations barring retired healthcare professionals from administering COVID-19 vaccines. This alteration seeks to bolster vaccination efforts once supplies become more accessible.

COVID-19 vaccines have proven remarkably effective, with over 2.71 billion doses administered across 180 countries — a sufficient amount to fully vaccinate 17.7% of the global population. In the U.S., healthcare workers have administered 319 million doses thus far.

Retired nurses, whose licenses have lapsed within the past five years, have heeded the call for assistance, provided their credentials were in good standing at the time of expiration. Amidst an existing national nursing shortage, exacerbated by the pandemic, retired nurses returning to the field have played an indispensable role in saving numerous lives.

The Impact of Vaccination Gaps

The pattern is evident: the most significant outbreaks of highly contagious diseases often materialize prior to the development of vaccines. Outbreaks also resurge during periods of low vaccination rates.

From 1989 to 1991, measles resurged in the U.S., primarily affecting regions where as little as 50% of children had been vaccinated. A total of 123 fatalities ensued, with 90% of those casualties being unvaccinated. A similar resurgence of measles occurred in 2008, with more than 90% of cases documented in individuals either unvaccinated or possessing an unknown immunization status.

Notable instances include:

– In 2010, California reported a 418% surge in pertussis cases compared to the previous year, primarily afflicting infants too young for immunization.
– Cholera claimed 4,787 lives in Haiti from 2010 to 2011 due to logistical challenges in administering vaccinations after an earthquake.
– In 2013, Syria faced a polio outbreak resulting from war-related disruptions in immunization efforts, marking the first appearance of polio in the country since 1999.

Frontline of Immunization: Nurses

Nurses, especially registered nurses (RNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs), frequently administer vaccines and provide patients with evidence-based information about vaccine safety, potential side effects, and the significance of immunization. In certain nations, nurses oversee the administration of all vaccines.

Nurses often confront the challenge of persuading hesitant patients to embrace vaccination. Individuals might dismiss the risk if they don’t witness others falling ill from the disease. Nurses often underscore that choosing not to vaccinate can impact both patients and their families.

In regions with limited primary care providers, nurses bridge the gap between patients and doctors. In rural settings, where primary care providers are scarce, communities often rely on nurses for immunization guidance and administration.

Additionally, school nurses play a

pivotal role in advising students and families about vaccine mandates. The National Association of School Nurses and similar organizations advocate for the implementation of vaccination programs within schools.

Nurses and Staying Informed

Remaining informed about clinical practices, vaccine availability, regulations, and related matters is essential for nurses to ensure the safety of immunization. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is at the forefront of monitoring vaccine safety and offers online resources to help healthcare professionals convey accurate information to their patients. These resources encompass links to platforms containing reports, data, and inquiry tools.

CDC resources encompass immunization schedules, up-to-date information on shortages and delays, and guidelines for reporting adverse effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides global immunization information, offering insights into programs, news updates, publications, position papers, and statistical data.

Nurses can access the American Nurses Association (ANA)’s educational resources, which encompass recommendations, guidelines, summaries of relevant laws, scholarly materials, disease-specific vaccine information, and fact sheets. The CDC website presents webinars, training courses, conference calls, a guide for continuing education, and quality improvement projects designed for certification renewal.

Prescribing Authority and Immunization

The International Council of Nurses conducted a survey across 15 unidentified countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The OECD encompasses 36 countries, including the United States. Survey findings unveiled that merely 33% of nurses possess the ability to prescribe vaccines.

Except for Arkansas, Michigan, and New Mexico, all states authorize nurse practitioners (NPs) to prescribe vaccines under physician supervision. Nonetheless, only 18 states empower NPs with independent authority to prescribe vaccines. Registered nurses (RNs) can prescribe vaccines under supervision exclusively in Florida, Minnesota, Oregon, and Texas.

Efforts persist to effect regulatory changes enabling nurses to prescribe vaccines. Countries permitting nurse-prescribing often enforce additional professional prerequisites, encompassing specific practice experience, prescription education, supervised training, and mentorship.

Prioritizing Nurses’ Health

In the realm of healthcare, where nurses tend to others’ well-being, their own health can sometimes be neglected. Focusing on others’ health amid demanding schedules, medical professionals occasionally overlook their own wellness.

Given their consistent exposure to infectious diseases, regular vaccination is paramount for nurses. It safeguards their health and that of their families, while also reducing the risk of transmitting viruses to patients.

Every nurse should prioritize receiving a flu shot each fall. This is especially critical for nurses who work with infants. Additionally, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccines are essential for all nurses. Other vital immunizations include those for hepatitis B, varicella, measles, mumps, and rubella.

To ensure the safety of both nurses and patients from influenza, the ANA strongly advocates encouraging family members and coworkers to embrace vaccination, practicing thorough hand hygiene, and utilizing safety needles in conjunction with standing orders for vaccine administration.

During the shortage of N95 masks, nurses, healthcare staff, and volunteers ingeniously crafted masks from materials available at craft and hardware stores. This innovative approach enabled them to maintain close contact with patients. While N95 masks are no longer scarce, challenges may persist in gaining access to them.

The Enduring Dedication of Nurses

Nurses consistently demonstrate their unwavering dedication as they work tirelessly to protect patients and combat diseases. This dedication is often at the expense of their own well-being. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices nurses make daily. Amid the ongoing endeavor to administer COVID-19 vaccines, nurses continue their service in testing centers, treatment facilities, and in administering vaccines to millions of individuals.

Resources for Nurses

– Flu and Chronic Health Conditions Toolkit | National Foundation for Infectious Diseases: Fact sheets and infographics outlining the impact of the flu on individuals with underlying conditions and emphasizing the importance of vaccination.
– Handouts for Patients and Staff | Immunization Action Coalition: Concise handouts covering a wide array of immunization topics and specific vaccines for nurses and their patients.
– Immunization Guide | American Nurses Association: An immunization guide featuring clinical tools, educational materials, policy and advocacy statements, and safety recommendations.
– Immunization Transition Toolkit | National Association of School Nurses: A resource for school nurses, providing information about vaccine requirements during students’ transitions, such as moving from elementary to middle school.
– Vaccinations for Children and Teams | National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Guidance for pediatric nurse practitioners, including links to vaccine recommendations, schedules, fact sheets, and frequently asked questions.