Mentors: Kristi Kennedy, C.P. N.P, Pediatric Associates
Immunizations are an important part of living a safe and healthy life. Vaccinations overflow with benefits including saving lives, preventing eradicated diseases, and giving peace of mind. Many parents choose to opt out of vaccinations due to false information. They read incorrect articles about certain vaccinations, decide that these things are true and that by giving their child such thing, it would hurt them detrimentally. By doing this, it could possibly halt the child from having a happy and healthy future. I have seen many examples of parents with this mindset during my time at Pediatric Associates. With this in mind, I came up with my essential question: Why should healthcare providers be the strongest advocates for children’s health especially when it comes to getting a child vaccinated against life-threatening diseases? I believe that it is the job of a healthcare provider to be the strongest advocates for children's health. Healthcare providers need to get rid of the false accusations out of parents' minds and fill them instead with the benefits and truths about the vaccinations. In doing this, life-threatening diseases can be eradicated, and many children’s futures will be saved. As I further my education with hopes to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, I plan on striving to be the strongest advocate for children’s health as I can.
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