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August is National Immunization Awareness Month
The National Partnership for Immunization (NPI) has designated August
as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This is a great time
to stress the importance of vaccinations for both children and adults
as we approach the beginning of school year and the upcoming flu season.
National vaccination rates remain at an all-time high of 75 percent among
children age 19-35 months. Unfortunately, Texas is below the national
average with only 68 percent coverage. While some diseases are on the
decline, such as measles, mumps, and rubella, we are seeing an increase
in other infectious diseases such as pertussis and whooping cough. It
is important to remember that any infectious disease could return to our
community if we become complacent about the need for up-to-date immunizations.
It is vital that people of all ages get timely immunizations to
preserve their good health.
Some parents have questioned the need to get their children vaccinated,
citing concerns about safety, value and cost. By refusing immunizations,
parents are putting their children and themselves at risk for contracting
an infectious disease and passing it to others in their community. "Vaccines
are the most widely used and effective means of protecting against infectious
disease," said David A. Neumann, PhD, NPI Executive Director.
Infant & Child Immunizations
Infectious diseases used to kill and disable millions of
people in the United States. Immunizations are the best way to protect
your children from these harmful diseases. While we no longer see many
vaccine-preventable childhood diseases, the viruses and bacteria that
cause them are still around. It is important to immunize your child to
protect them as well as their community. Check with your physician to
assure that your child is up-to-date on the following vaccines:
- Hepatitis B vaccine (3 or 4 doses)
- Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine (4 doses)
- Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine (3 or 4 doses)
- Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) (4 doses)
- Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (4 doses) *
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine (2 doses)
- Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine (1 dose)
- Influenza vaccine (annually)
- Hepatitis A vaccine (2 doses in high risk areas) *
* New legislation - Effective September 1, 2005, House Bill (HB)
1316 will become law. This law requires that children attending
child-care facilities be vaccinated against invasive pneumococcal and
hepatitis A diseases. If children do not have at least the first doses
of these vaccines by September 1, 2005, they may be excluded from child-care
and pre-kindergarten program attendance.
For a Childhood immunization schedule visit the CDC's
Childhood & Adolescent Immunization Schedule or the AAFP
Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule websites.
Adolescent Immunizations
Immunizations are important for this age-group too. There are a number
of vaccines that are recommended for adolescents, particularly those who
may have missed receiving any recommended vaccines when younger or those
who may be traveling abroad or entering college. These vaccines include:
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Inactivated Poliovirus (IPV) vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine*
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine
- Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
* In the past, the meningitis vaccine was recommended for students entering
college, especially those moving into dormitories, who are at increased
risk for meningococcal disease. A new and improved meningococcal vaccine
was introduced this year. With the advent of this new vaccine, the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends routine vaccination
of young adolescents at their 11- or 12-year well check up. For those
adolescents who have not previously received the vaccine, ACIP recommends
vaccination before high school entry. By 2008, the goal will be to vaccinate
all adolescents against meningococcal disease beginning at age 11 years.
(Meningococcal disease is caused by an infection of the fluids surrounding
the brain and spinal cord. Approximately 10% of cases are fatal, even
with medical care. Of those who survive, 11-19% suffer severe side effects
including neurological defects, hearing loss, and gangrene resulting in
loss of limb.)
For an Adolescent immunization schedule visit the CDC's Childhood & Adolescent
Immunization Schedule or the AAFP Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule websites.
Adult Immunizations
Because children are particularly vulnerable to infection, most vaccines
are given during the first five to six years of life. But, other immunizations
are recommended during adolescent or adult years and, for certain vaccines,
booster immunizations are recommended throughout life. Vaccines against
certain diseases that may be encountered when traveling outside the US
are recommended for travelers to specific regions of the worlds. Check
with your physician to see if they recommend any of the following:
- Hepatitis A vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- Influenza vaccine
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine
- Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
For an Adult immunization schedule download the CDC's Recommended
Adult Immunization Schedule.
Influenza Vaccine
Each year in the US, there are an average of 114,000 influenza-related
hospitalizations and approximately 36,000 influenza-related deaths. It
is especially important for adults over the age of 50, pregnant women,
residents of long-term care facilities, those who have chronic heart,
lung, liver or kidney disease, asthma or diabetes, health care workers
and household contacts of people at high risk for influenza-related complications
to get the influenza vaccine, or flu shot, each year. The flu shot is
also recommended for anyone over the age of 6 months that would like to
reduce their chances of becoming ill from the flu. However, only 39 percent
of all adults received a flu shot in 2002. The most common reasons for
this low rate were perceived lack of need and concern about reactions
to and effectiveness of the flu shot. The flu shot in made up of inactivated
flu virus, which means that it can not give you the flu.
Barriers to Immunization
Approximately 94% of parents report having their youngest
child immunized according to recommended guidelines. However they report
varying degrees of confidence in the safety of vaccines. They may also
believe that the diseases that vaccines protect against are rare and not
that serious. Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious
diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals
can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities
from serious, life-threatening infections.
The use of vaccines has created an environment in which certain vaccine
preventable infectious diseases are rarely seen in our country, but these
diseases are still found globally in areas where vaccine use is low. These
diseases may be imported into the United States, and without the continued
use of vaccines, our population would be unprotected. It is also true
that some vaccine preventable diseases do not pose a serious threat to
the health of your child, but if your child contracts one of these diseases,
they can expose others in your community that are at great danger from
the infections, such as pregnant or immune-compromised persons. Tens on
thousands of people in the US still die from vaccine-preventable diseases.
- 15% of the adult population believes that vaccines are not necessary
to protect against certain diseases.
- Of these 15%, 64% do not think it is easy to get trusted information
about vaccines.
- 21% think the body can protect itself from disease.
- 20% believe that children should be allowed in school without
vaccinations.
- 46% of adults with a child living at home do not believe it is important
to vaccinate their child in order to protect their community from the
spread of disease.
Collin County Healthcare Services
Collin County Healthcare Services offers vaccines for children,
adolescents and adults. Medicaid and CHIPS insurance is accepted. Vaccine
fees are based on a sliding scale or set fee basis - CASH ONLY. Hours
of operation at individual clinics vary, so please call (972) 548-5532
or metro (972) 424-1460 ext. 5532 for hours of operations.
Additionally, Collin County operates a travel medicine clinic. Our healthcare
staff will assess your individual needs and travel plans to determine
what immunizations and/or medications may be needed to keep you protected
while traveling. Travel vaccines and medications offered include:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Immune Globulin
- Influenza
- Malaria prescription
- Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR)
- Pneumonia
- Polio
- Tetanus / Diphtheria
- Typhoid (capsules or injection)
- Yellow Fever
- Others
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