Influenza injection program
Abstract
Influenza which is at times referred to as flu is a highly communicable disease that attacks the respiratory system. It is a viral disease caused by the Influenza virus (CDC, 2015). The severity of the condition can range from mild to serious depending on the immunity of an individual towards the disease. In extreme situations, hospitalization or death may occur. As such, from the proverbial prevention is better than treatment, it is imperative that persons who are likely to be affected by this virus receive vaccination to cushion them against the effects that are likely to be brought about the condition (CDC, 2015). However, in most cases, this disease can be cured within one week without any medical redress being sought. According to CDC, it is vital for any person who is over the age of 6 months to get an annual shot of the vaccine so as to reduce increased physician visit dates and hospitalization incidences that are likely to come about from such (CDC, 2015). This is clearly a cause for worry since it has got financial implications that accompany it. Additionally, CDC reports that more than 145.6 million doses of the flu vaccine have already been well distributed in the United States (CDC, 2015). The protection provided by this vaccine usually sets in after a period of approximately 14 days. Therefore, this research will shed light on the epidemiology of influenza, need assessment and measures taken by CDC in addressing this illness.
Influenza
This disease is caused by influenza viruses which are categorized into three broad classes. They are Influenza A, B and C. influenza A is further broken down into two categories which are H1N1 and H2N2 (Mayo Clinic, 2016). These two strains of Influenza are the commonest currently and are the cause of the disease affecting humans currently. However, the prevalence rates of Influenza C are lower compared to A and B which is the reason why it is proactively dealt with compared with the other two strains of the disease (Mayo Clinic, 2016). It occurs seasonally and for this fact therefore it is easy for it to spread in places where persons are crowded. Such places include schools, business places, towns and even nursing homes. The transmission occurs when an infected person coughs. Infected droplets from their respiratory system get into the air where if there is another human who has been exposed he/she can easily catch it (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Additionally, the virus can also be spread by hands that have come into contact with the virus which is why it is recommended that an individual always washes their hands regularly or use a tissue or handkerchief when coughing or sneezing (Mayo Clinic, 2016). Individuals who may be carrying the virus are at risk of spreading the disease to other healthy persons as from the day they catch the virus upto about five days after the symptoms have began showing. In most cases, the body is usually able to fight off any viruses that might have attacked it previously but it becomes a challenge to fight off any new strains of the virus affecting the individual (Mayo Clinic, 2016).
Flu may have some similarities with common cold since in its initial stages it is characterized by a runny nose, sore throat and sneezing (WHO, 2016). However, the development of colds is usually gradual whereas that one of influenza is sudden. The commonest symptoms of this condition include fever with body temperatures over 38°C, chills and sweats, aching muscles, headaches, dry coughs which are persistent, fatigue and weakness, sore throat and nasal congestion(WHO, 2016). The coughing may last for two or more weeks. In most cases, however, individuals suffering from this condition can get completely cured without seeking any medical attention (WHO, 2016). On the other hand, the condition may be severe to individuals who are at higher risks of contracting the disease and in which case may lead to death in the worst case scenario. The incubation period of the condition ranges between 2 to 3 days before severe conditions become evident (WHO, 2016).
Individuals at risk
The general population is likely to be equally affected by this disease. However, certain individuals in the society are a t a higher risk of contracting the disease than others (WHO, 2016). As such, children below the age of 2 years, pregnant women, older adults over 65 years, and any individual with health conditions like kidney failure, heart disease, liver and blood complications coupled with metabolic disease are highly likely to be affected by the disease (WHO, 2016). Additionally, individuals who have weak immune systems are also likely to fall trap to the disease.
Disease epidemics and burden
This disease commonly occurs in worldwide with statistics showing that 5% to 10% of all adults in addition to 20% to 30% of all children being affected by the condition (WHO, 2016). Cases of hospitalization and deaths are likely to occur to the risky groups. Statistics from WHO indicate that an estimated 3 to 5 million cases of the condition usually occur worldwide from which about 250,000 to 500,000 deaths usually occur (WHO, 2016). In many developed nations, the mostly affected part of the population are the individuals who are above 65 years of age whereas in developing countries it is children and infants who are mostly affected (WHO, 2016).
Treatment
The most important step in dealing with this condition is through using antiviral drugs which are useful in reducing cases of influenza and earths. These drugs are supposed to be administered within a period of 48 hours after the symptoms of the condition have presented themselves (World Health Organization, 2015). They occur in two states, adamantanes and influenza neuraminidase inhibitors. The first drug is administered orally whereas the second class of drugs is administered both orally and also through the use of an inhaler (World Health Organization, 2015). However, such inhalers should not be used by individual who have got respiratory complications like lung disease and asthma. In addition to this treatment, it is also important to check on one’s lifestyle when they are ill to reduce the severity of the condition (World Health Organization, 2015). As such, drinking plenty of liquids like water and soup is vital in reducing dehydration, having enough bed rest to assist in fighting off new infections and using over the counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (World Health Organization, 2015).
Community needs assessment
Going by the statistics, it is safe to say that the most effective way of dealing with this condition is through serious vaccination programs. According to the WHO, such vaccines have been very effective in checking on this disease for more than 60 years now and are continuing to be in the forefront in the fight against any eventualities that are brought about by this disease (World Health Organization, 2015).. Therefore, there is the need to carry out a needs assessment in order to determine the best methods that can be used to carry out successful vaccination programs against influenza (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013). There are various strategies that are used to conduct community needs assessment programs. By definition, community needs assessment refers to a combination of gathering information engaging a community and focusing on particular actions with the purposes of improving a community (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013). The key emphasis is on the members of a particular community and how they can be involved in the development plans which will be of benefit to them. In this instance therefore, the need that is under scrutiny is how to roll out an influenza immunization program for pregnant women in the United States (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
There are several approaches that are used to conduct community needs assessment. The first assessment is concerned with discovering a particular problem in the community and developing strategies that will be effectively used to address the problem (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013). The second one focuses on addressing a problem that is already existing or any potential problem that is likely to crop up in the nearest future (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013). The third community needs assessment is focused on an organization that focuses on addressing particular problems of the society. For instance, the needs of a community health center that focuses on addressing the needs of drug addicts can be evaluated and the particular ways in which it can be improved are recommended (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013). In this case, therefore, the key focus will be on addressing an already existing problem and as such, the second method of community assessment will be crucial in carrying out the Influenza vaccination program on pregnant women.
Benefits of carrying out community needs assessment
The communities in question which in this case are pregnant women are in a better position to understand their particular needs (influenza vaccination), the existence of the requirements and the effectiveness of addressing the needs (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
The members of the community will be in a position to share their experiences with the other members of the society on how to address the particular problems that they are faced with (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
The levels of community engagement on such programs is strengthened since they will be more concerned with how to identify the weaknesses that they have and how to look for ways and convert them into strengths (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
Such assessments are helpful in the sense that the community can be in a better position to detect any gaps that exist within the community as far as a particular need is concerned and the best was that can be used to fill up such gaps (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
There are increased awareness cases about a particular need and as such, the necessary methodologies that can be used to address it are developed (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
Community assessment techniques can be useful in assessing the community priorities as far as the services they expect is concerned. Such will be important in determining which need to be addressed first and which one to come last (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
The data that is gotten from such assessment is important in carrying out strategic planning, setting priorities, addressing program outcomes and the particular strategies that can be used to improve programs that are in already in place (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2013).
Statistics on Influenza vaccination in pregnant women
According to CDC, influenza is can be very detrimental in then health of pregnant women in the sense that it can easily lead to increased risks of hospitalization or preterm labor (CDC, 2015). As such, there is the need for all pregnant women to at least get a flu shot which will be effective in protecting them against such eventualities. Infants whose mothers get this vaccination shots are less likely to be affected by flu within their first six months of existence compared to those whose mothers did not get that vaccination shot (CDC, 2015).
Vaccination rates amongst pregnant American women has been on the rise since the 2010-11 flu season a milestone which has been targeted at increasing better outcomes for pregnant women (CDC, 2015). Surveys conducted by the CDC internet panels indicate that vaccination coverage rates were 43.9% in season 2010-11, 43.2% in 2011-12 flu seasons, 50.5% during the 2012-13 flu season, 52.2% in the 2013-14 season and 50.3% in the 2014-15 flu season (CDC, 2015). From the vaccination plan, however, the least benefited community was the Non-Hispanic black pregnant women whose coverage was at 32.9 % 2hich was the least compared to other racial groups.
According to the CDC report on influenza vaccination, 97.8% of the women in the survey reportedly paid a visit to a medical professional at least once during their pregnancy period which is a positive trend in the fight against the disease (CDC, 2015). Of the number, 61.6% got a recommendation for an influenza vaccination and actually got an offer to have the vaccination given to them. 15% of the total number of women checked received a recommendation for the vaccine but did not take part in the immunization process (CDC, 2015). They remaining portion of the women in the sample 23.4%, did not either receive recommendation or an offer for the injection (CDC, 2015). Additionally, the women who received a recommendation for a vaccination without an offer for it were more three times more likely to get a vaccination at the rate of 58.8% vs. 20.15 in comparison to an eight more times in a situation where a pregnant woman did not receive any recommendations concerning the vaccination which stood at 58.8% vs. 7.1% (CDC, 2015).
Basis for Influenza vaccination by CDC
The major tenets that the CDC recommends for the immunization of these groups of women include their age groups, their races or ethnicities, their levels of education, the type of medical insurance that they have taken and any other high risk conditions (CDC, 2015).
According to age groups, statistics show that younger women of between ages 18-24 have a vaccination rate of 37.9% which is least compared to elder pregnant women whose vaccination rates stand at 44.3 % (CDC, 2015). As such, the CDC puts more focus on making sure that the younger women are in a better position to get the vaccination.
The Influenza injection I pregnant women according to their ethnicities indicate that the levels of immunization amongst Non-Hispanic black women stand at 32.9% which is the least level compared to other races of which pregnant women who are non-Hispanic decent have the highest levels of the vaccine standing at 46.46%(CDC, 2015). Therefore, CDC has been proactive in making sure that the minorities are given priority in as far as the vaccination is concerned.
In accordance with education levels, pregnant whose scope of education is upto high school and college level have got immunization levels standing at an average of 34% whereas those who have gone upto the university level have got vaccination levels standing at 48.4 % (CDC, 2015). As such, The CDC puts in place proactive measures to ensure that this disparity is closed up.
Finally, according to the type of medical insurance that an individual has taken, pregnant women with either a military or a private insurance cover have got vaccination rates of upto 43.7% which is way much higher compared to those pregnant women who have taken a public medical insurance cover whose vaccination rates stand at 31.6 % (CDC, 2015). Therefore, there is the need to have those pregnant women that do not have either private or military medical insurance covers to be given more consideration as far as the immunization program is concerned.
Conclusively, it has been clearly pointed out that influenza is a serious condition that exposes the general population and in particular pregnant women to the risks associated with it. Therefore, there is the need to reduce the incidences of this disease by increasing the recommendations that pregnant women get for v flu vaccinations from their doctors, ensuring that pregnant women are adequately vaccinated throughout the flu season and informing women about the risks that are associated with the condition and the benefits that are likely to result to both them and the children they carry on having an influenza injection.
References
CDC. (2015). Influenza (Flu) | CDC. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/
CDC. (2015). Pregnant Women and Flu Vaccination, Internet Panel Survey, United States, November 2015 | FluVaxView | Seasonal Influenza (Flu) | CDC. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/flu/fluvaxview/pregnant-women-nov2015.htm
Mayo Clinic. (2016). Influenza (flu) - Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/basics/definition/con-20035101
Stanhope, M., & Lancaster, J. (2013). Foundations of nursing in the community: Community-oriented practice. Elsevier Health Sciences.
WHO. (2016). WHO | Influenza (Seasonal). Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs211/en/
World Health Organization. (2015). A manual for estimating disease burden associated with seasonal influenza.
