Find Your Program

Or browse by

Browse our programs

What Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Should Know About the Importance of Immunizing Children

Learn about the history of vaccinations and why they are so important for children.

Vaccinations cause our bodies to build up antibodies that keep us from contracting what could be fatal diseases. From smallpox to polio to measles and beyond, millions of lives worldwide are saved each year due to the advancements that have been made by the medical community in the form of immunizations. One recent and very relevant example is the COVID-19 vaccination, which protects individuals and offers very promising public health benefits as well. While some vaccinations are not received until adulthood and are dependent upon a person’s risk level—such as the shingles vaccination—routine childhood immunizations are incredibly important.

As a nurse practitioner, you know that it is better to prevent an illness than to treat one. And, by choosing to focus your career on pediatric nursing, you will most likely be speaking about the importance of vaccines on a regular basis to families and young patients. Communicating how diseases are spread, how the body fights diseases, and the importance of vaccines will be key.

''

Vaccinations Safely Build Immunity1

To prevent a disease, the body must build immunity, and in order for the body to do this, exposure to the disease must occur. When this happens, the immune system produces antibodies that recognize and repel the presence of foreign substances or toxins, also known as antigens. The immune system can then prevent future infections because it remembers antigens after their first occurrence. However, upon initial exposure to a specific antigen, such as pertussis, a child’s immune system may not produce antibodies quickly enough to prevent the disease. As a result, the child gets sick.

Childhood immunizations combat this potentially deadly course of action by safely exposing a child’s immune system to a disease. Each vaccine contains a portion of the antigens that cause a disease—enough to build immunity, but not enough for the disease to actually develop. Vaccinations thereby allow children to build vital immunities in a controlled environment with mitigated health risks.

Whether looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid, we're here to help.

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Step 1: Contact Information
  • Step 2: Academic Interests

Are you or your spouse an active or retired U.S. military service member?*

By submitting this form, I provide my signature, expressly consenting to calls, prerecorded messages, messages created by generative artificial intelligence, emails and/or texts regarding my educational options from Walden University (Walden) and its contractors using an automated dialing system to the number and email address provided. I understand my consent is not required to enroll at Walden, and that I can withdraw my consent at any time. To request information without consenting, please call 866-492-5336. For telephonic communications, message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. To opt out of communications via text messaging reply STOP or HELP for help or call 866-492-5336. For more information, visit Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.