Healthcare: Alberta Health Services Case Study 2022

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University
Title of the Paper
Author
19 October 2022
Professor’s name
Program of Study

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Should it be mandated that children under the age of 18 receive routine immunization schedule
as defined by Alberta Health
Stakeholder Identification
Good Public health is an essential aspect in life, which must be greatly considered12 and
therefore, the Alberta Health Services came up with a childhood immunization schedule. This
schedule was meant to be one of the greatest health interventions that would ensure all children
are prevented from contracting infectious diseases. Due to the importance of the immunization, it
should be made mandatory for all children under the age of 18 to receive the routine
immunization8. There are several stakeholders who are involved in the issues related to
childhood immunization. These stakeholders include the pediatricians, World Health
Organization, Canadian Public Health Association, the Minister of health, and finally, the
parents5. The final decision maker in matters concerning child immunization and any other
health-related issues is the Minister of health Ms. Petitpas Taylor, who has been authorized to
make public health decisions. All these stakeholders have diverse levels of influence in the child
immunization schedule of Alberta.
Being among the key stakeholders in influencing child immunization policies, the
pediatricians are always involved in making decisions that involve the immunization routine.
Pediatricians are health professionals who are strictly specialized in treating children, and that is
the reason why they should be involved when developing the policy14. These individuals can
influence the immunization schedule as they have intensively studied matters concerning the
body of a child, and they know the weaknesses and strengths of the children’s body1. Therefore,
their wide knowledge about children gives them a better position on deciding whether

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immunization is good or bad for the children’s bodies. The pediatricians are likely to support the
idea of mandating the child immunization routine because they are aware of the fact that a
child’s body is always at a high risk of being exposed to infectious diseases and thus they would
prefer prevention5. Since most parents highly believe in the professionals, when they get the
message directly from the professionals, they will ensure they adhere to the instructions and
advice given. This parent- doctor relationship is what makes the involvement of the pediatrics
necessary for the success of the matter.
World Health Organization is a global organization that is mainly concerned with public
health. This special agency was mainly developed to intervene and ensure that public health is
promoted among its member states. The World Health Organization has an influence on the
Alberta Child immunization routine as public health is their main concern as an agency1. This
key stakeholder has high chances of supporting the motion of Alberta routine of child
immunization being mandated to all children. The reason for this assumption is because this
organization has conducted several researchers and has satisfied that the immunizations are safe.
The health agency has also been seen in several cases agitating for immunization in various other
member states, and therefore Canada will not be an exception2. The involvement of the World
Health Organization may help in making the proposal successful.
Children under the age of 18 are the most significant stakeholders in this issue. They are the
ones that are going to receive the vaccination directly. Children that receive the vaccinations are
the ones that are going to benefit. They will have an opportunity to develop a strong immunity to
deal with the disease in case of future incidences. However, children do not have the right to take
part in policymaking, and as such, they have to be presented by their parents and other bodies9.

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Human right bodies can push for the signing of the policy so as to ensure that all children have
access to the good healthcare system.
The Canadian Public Health Agency is a special department in the government of Canada
that was introduced with the aim of helping the Canadian citizens to improve on their health
through preventing diseases that are of a threat to good public health. Being a governmental
health agency, it has a high level of influence when making decisions in matters concerning the
health of its citizens. This agency should be considered in the development of the policy as it has
the ability, authority, and resources to carry out civic awareness as well as sensitizing the public
to consider taking their children for immunizations thus making the development successful.
The Canadian parents are among the most important stakeholders in the child immunization
routine as they have the greatest influence. They are considered as the greatest influencers
because they are responsible for bringing up children, and they also have the decision to either
take their children for vaccination or not8. All the other stakeholders have the ability to advocate
for child immunization, but without the consent of the parents, the children will still not be taken
for immunization. Therefore, when making decisions concerning the development of the policy,
the parents should be highly involved and convinced to acknowledge the Alberta child
immunization routine. Parents always want the best for their children, and they are therefore
likely to either accept or reject the development of the immunization policy depending on the
quality of knowledge they will be exposed to about immunization. Parents have the greatest
influence in the issue as once they have accepted the issue, they will all willingly take their
children for the necessary vaccinations and when they reject the proposal, they will not present
their children for the vaccinations.