Topic: Vaccination basics | EDUVAC Vaccination Competence

Vaccinator statue

A statue commemorating the 30th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox was unveiled in May 2010 in front of the World Health Organization (WHO) headquarters in Geneve. The Vaccinator statue depicts four persons, one of whom is a girl about to be vaccinated in the arm. The statue's focus is on the health worker's hand who is performing vaccination with the recently invented bifurcated needle. Vaccinators and field staff were the key persons.

The statue stands as a reminder of the significance of such an achievement, and shows the power of international health cooperation to do great and lasting good. The eradication of smallpox shows that with strong mutual resolve, teamwork and an international cooperation, ambitious global public health goals can be attained.

Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations. It has clearly defined target groups; it can be delivered effectively through outreach activities; and vaccination does not require any major lifestyle change. (WHO)

WHO. (2021). Vaccines and Immunization. https://www.who.int/topics/immunization/en/

From the ethical point of view, every human being should have an equal right to get vaccinated. The role of healthcare professionals is to protect the client against infectious diseases, to promote and maintain the health of the population, to prevent diseases and alleviate suffering. Ethical issues related to vaccination may concern the client, the activities of the vaccinator, the practices of working communities, as well as discussion in society. Public discussion may deal with e.g., voluntary and mandatory vaccines or reliable knowledge and counseling for clients. It is important that a vaccinator is qualified and able to operate according to professional ethical principles.

Why is vaccination important?

Vaccines provide protection against a wide range of serious diseases. Diseases do not respect the boarders of countries, and contagious infections and diseases may reappear, however, if vaccination coverage decreases.

Immunization has proven to be one of the most cost-effective investments made in public health care (WHO, 2018). Immunization saves millions of lives, and it is also widely recognized as one of the most successful and cost-effective global health interventions. Vaccinating increases life expectancy. It saves millions of people from illness, secondary infections, infertility, disability and death each year. Various illnesses, infections and diseases cause suffering and pain. Therefore, financial resources are also required, such as resources in health care services, treatment days in hospitals, sick leaves, or days off from work to care for sick children.

Through vaccination, infectious diseases can be eradicated. One disease, smallpox (lat. variola), has been rooted out worldwide. WHO has reported that smallpox was eradicated globally in 1980.

WHO (2018). Assessment report of the Global Vaccine Action Plan. https://www.who.int/immunization/global_vaccine_action_plan/SAGE_GVAP_Assessment_Report_2018_EN.pdf?ua=1

Why vaccination is important for global health? File

Effectiveness of vaccination programme File

What is immunisation?

Immunisation - What it is File

Who is a competent vaccinator?

Vaccinating requires special education, and vaccination professionals (public health nurses, health visitors, public health specialists, nurses, midwives, doctors, etc.) should be competent and qualified professionals to provide high quality care. Furthermore, vaccinating should be a safe and cost-effective procedure.

Who is vaccinator? File

Article: Vaccination Competence URL

Nikula, A., Hupli, M., Rapola, S. & Leino-Kilpi, H. (2009). Vaccination competence. Public Health Nursing 26(2). doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1446.2009.00768.x

Article: Factors strengthening and weakening vaccination competence URL

Nikula, A., Rapola, S., Hupli, M. & Leino-Kilpi, H. (2009). Factors strengthening and weakening vaccination competence. International Journal of Nursing Practice 15(5). doi: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2009.01781.x

Vaccination programmes in different countries

It is important to know vaccine-preventable diseases, symptoms, sequelaes, treatment and vaccines against them. Each country has a National Immunization Programme (NIP) which has been created according to disease risks of the country.

Vaccination programs differ from one country to another, depending on the circumstances and risks. However, vaccination programs have many similarities worldwide.

As a health care professional it is necessary to know at least the NIP of one's own country.

Vaccination coverage in different countries

Vaccination coverage indicates the percentage of the population, or of a specific age group or at-risk group, who have received a particular vaccination. Vaccination coverage shows how large a percentage of the population has been vaccinated against a given disease.

Vaccination protects, not only the vaccinated persons, but also their family members against the disease or infection. Persons who do not catch the disease, do not transmit the disease on to others either.

Vaccination coverage in different countries File

Self-tests and assignments

Self test: Immunisation 1 Interactive Content

Self test: Immunisation 2 Interactive Content

Self test: Immunity Interactive Content

Assignment: Vaccinator File

Assignment: Vaccination coverage File

EDUVAC Vaccination Competence