One school district is not requiring vaccinations for children who are starting school. The nurse realizes that this action could have which consequence?

Question

1. healthier children
2. a reduction in the number of colds and flu in the school
3. lower school costs
4. an epidemic of an illness that could have been avoided with immunization

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 4

For many diseases, the potential consequences of a single disease episode on the individual and society make prevention desirable, especially for highly contagious diseases that are capable of causing epidemics. In these instances, immunization provides artificially acquired immunity. The purpose of vaccination is to establish adequate levels of antibody or memory cells to provide effective immunity. Healthier children are not the result of reduced immunization. The lack of immunization will not impact the number of colds and flu outbreaks in a school system. High rates of illness may increase school costs.