Teaching Childhood Immunizations

[Professor Saal]

Good afternoon! I am looking at some ways to teach about childhood immunizations. I have powerpoints and handouts but feel that it is important to really teach even more about this. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

[tewdles, RN]

I provided this teaching in a community health setting to staff and to parents...2 different presentations.

I gave staff a review of the diseases. Many have never seen a child with measles, mumps, pertussis, HiB, tetorifice, etc, I have. My presentations included discussion and hands on opportunity to "practice" sites, technique, and restraint for multiple injections in one child. As you are aware, there is a wealth of information available online to help you provide accurate and clear direction.

In my mind, part of the education should include strategies to address parental concerns about vaccines, the schedule, and the "concerns" about relationship to autism (there is none). It is important for them to understand the state and regional requirements as well as the stance of the schools in your area.

I found that it was helpful to even review simple things like...how to read or fill out a proper immunization record or card, how to interpret the immunization record of another country (Mexican, Canadian, and Palestinian records are common here in Michigan) I often made copies of particularly interesting records that I encountered and shared them with my groups...asking them to interpret and recommend the next vaccination and schedule.

Good luck!

[dflowersrn]

i also teach about immunizations in a pharmacology class, i use pictures of the disease and the schedule for the vaccines, using a power point presentation with pictures. there are also some good movies on immunizations. they have ones with both pros and cons. here is the link

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/all/

[ElliShay]

Hi--

I would make up several scenarios--and have the students (in groups) search for the answers using the CDC website. Each group could then briefly present what they learned to the rest of the class. This doesn't have to be difficult--and immunization requirements and recommendations change frequently enough that memorizing schedules is futile. IMHO they need to know where to go to find the information.

Some scenario suggestions include:

a 5-y.o. who has never had any immunizations is preparing to start kindergarten--what is the recommended schedule for this child?

Name the culprit--provide a picture of the rash, describe some of the clinical manifestations--and have the students try to determine which communicable disease is present--and then describe the appropriate vaccine that could have prevented it.

Or---have the students perfrom immunization teaching for a new mom whose child is to receive (for example) 2-month immunizations. Or even a teen receiving Gardisil... or an older adult receiving the shingles vaccine.

I also have my students visit the CVDC website to find current recommendations for the flu vaccine and antiviral therapy--new recommendations come out each year--so the idea is that they know where to go to find the most accurate and current info.

These assignment can be really fun--and informative for students. Hope something here appeals to you! Good Luck!