Introduction
Influenza, also called flu, is among the most contagious infections that tamper with the passage of air in the lungs. The symptoms of influenza include coughs, body aches, high fever, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, among other symptoms. Influenza has been known as the most common and severe viral infection occurring in the winter seasons. The illness may be passed from one child to another through coughing and sneezing. Most children get influenza, which may last for less than a week. However, other children may experience severe influenza that may need hospitalization. Other influenza cases may lead to lung infections such as pneumonia, and other times may lead to death. Vaccines have been developed to work in the prevention of influenza. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine against hospitalization in school-aged children.
Phenomenon of Interest
School-going children are at high risk of contracting influenza infections. Children are vulnerable beings who have little knowledge of the prevention of infections. During flu seasons, children, especially in schools, are taught together in classrooms. This place is where a cough, a sneeze from one child may result in an outbreak of infection in the entire class (Chua et al., 2021). When playing together, children are involved in sharing toys and materials in which particles of infections may be spread when touched and then the child touches their mouth or nose.
Each year a new influenza vaccine is developed to prevent these infections. Annual vaccination has been recommended for children beginning at the age of 6 months. When the vaccine is administered to the child, immune system exposure to the vaccine allows the body to establish an immune response to the illness. Each time a child aged six months receives a vaccine shot, they need to get a second vaccine a month later (Chiu et al., 2019). It is more important for some children to get the vaccine. This group of children includes the ones with a long-term lung or heart conditions, diabetes, liver or kidney disorder, HIV/AIDS, and sickle-cell disease.
Flu vaccination has averted millions of flu-related illnesses and doctor visits each year. For example, from 2019 to 2020, the vaccine was responsible for preventing an estimated 7.5 million illnesses of influenza, 3.7 doctor visits, 105,000 hospitalizations, and 6,300 deaths related to influenza (Chung et al., 2020). Among the children hospitalized due to influenza, the vaccinated children had a lower risk of ICU admission by 59% (Thompson et al., 2018). Vaccinated children record fewer days of hospitalization, unlike those not vaccinated. Another study carried out in 2019 showed that vaccinated children have lower chances of being admitted to the ICU with an 82% rate (Mulpuru et al., 2019). Consequently, full influenza vaccination is more efficient than partial two-dose coverage against school-aged children’s hospitalization.
The significance of the problem to my advanced specialty focus as a Family practitioner is to give me the right information on the influenza vaccine for my patients. The study will teach me how effective the vaccine is for school-going children. The information will help me understand which other groups of children are at high risk and which children need the vaccine. The significance of the study to the U.S. healthcare is that it will have the basis of evidence of the importance of vaccination against influenza. Each year 140,000 to 810,000 people are hospitalized due to influenza (Xu et al., 2019). Vaccination will result in hospital visits and hospitalization cases. Reduced hospitalization will significantly cut costs for the nation.
Philosophical Viewpoints
Analytic philosophy involves literal meanings and seeking answers using logic, science, and numbers. The analogies of the analytical viewpoint are apolitical and entail using logic to describe a perspective. On the other hand, continental philosophy looks at things from a perspective that is humanistic to conclude (Insole, 2019). This philosophy discounts science and works with history, politics of sexuality, and desire. My preferred view is analytical philosophy, characterized by clarity and ensuring that the data collected is clear. One needs to do a rigorous evaluation of the data. Continental philosophy rejects scientism; hence, it may be difficult to be creative and innovative due to a lack of perspective.
Ways of Knowing
The patterns of knowing in the context of nursing care involved an examination of ways of knowing with a certain significance and perspective. The Carper’s patterns include empirical, personal, ethical and aesthetic knowing that enable nurses to acquire knowledge necessary in providing effective care. The practical way involves information and facts provided by science (Haase et al., 2018). Science proves that vaccines are preventive measures against infection. Personal way of knowing entails attributes and knowledge from a person’s self-understanding, which is what I comprehend about the illness and the vaccine against it. Ethical ways imply the awareness of moral choices and questions. Nurses are obligated to promote health for patients at risk of acquiring influenza. An aesthetic way of knowing assists in awareness of the immediate situation and practical action (Rafii et al., 2021). For example, using images and graphics, the patient may be aware of the influenza challenge and the vaccine’s impact. All these fundamental knowing patterns are crucial in providing comprehension care to Influenza patients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, influenza is a contagious infection that tampers with the passage of air in the lungs that is more prevalent in the winter season. School-going children are more at risk of acquiring influenza. Vaccines have been developed in order to enable the body to acquire an immune response against the illness. The vaccine has effectively reduced hospital visits due to influenza, influenza-related hospitalization, and ICU admissions related to the cases of influenza. Analytical philosophy is important as it entails scientific facts and necessitates clear data. Patterns of knowing in nursing are involved in examining ways of knowing with a certain significance and perspective.
References
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