Date of Award
4-2015
Document Type
Independent Study
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Measles, a vaccine preventable, highly contagious infectious disease was once considered eradicated from the U.S. (Kutty et al., 2014). However measles outbreaks have recently reoccurred in the U.S. even despite the preventable vaccine and school entry laws. As evidenced by research, non-medical exemptions coupled with measles endemics worldwide have contributed to the recent U.S. measles outbreaks (Gustanaduy et al., 2014; Wang, Clymer, Davis Hayes, & Buttenheim, 2014; and World Health Organization, 2015). Even though compulsory vaccination may seem like an answer to decrease non-medical exemptions research has shown it could do more harm than good (Elliman & Bedford, 2013; Doshi & Akabayashi, 2010; Shan, 2011; and Wang et al., 2014). In conclusion, advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) as primary care providers need to be educated on measles, the complications, populations at high risk for declining measles vaccination, and populations at high risk for becoming infected with measles in order to help decrease current outbreaks. The case discussed in this paper of an unvaccinated nine year old female who contracted measles is a good example of what an APRN may encounter in practice. As a result a literature review was conducted using CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google databases. Searches included variations of the terms "immunization and law," "compulsory vaccination," "measles," "measles vaccination," and "measles morbidity and mortality." The search was limited to articles written in English and those dated 2005 or more recent and included articles from various countries
Recommended Citation
Troutman, Tamara, "Resurgence of measles in the U.S. despite a preventable vaccine and school entity" (2015). Theses and Dissertations. 6480.
https://commons.und.edu/theses/6480
