DHR reminds parents to immunize children

Health experts consider immunizations to be the most successful and cost-effective public health tools parents can utilize to help protect their children against vaccine preventable diseases. Before the age of two, the 11,000 infants born in the United States daily will need to be immunized against 14 diseases. Yet, each year thousands of infants across the nation fail to get immunized for vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and rubella. In honor of National Immunization Awareness Month, observed in August, the Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health reminds parents about the benefits of following the state's newly approved immunization schedule and having their children vaccinated accordingly.

"Following the new immunization schedule is one way parents can protect their children from developing potentially life-threatening infections," Dr. Stuart Brown, Director of the Division of Public Health, said. "During National Immunization Awareness Month, we want to re-emphasize how critical vaccines are for children."

The Division of Public Health recently implemented additional vaccine requirements applicable to children and adolescents attending child care, Pre-K, Head Start and public and private school facilities. Additions to the immunization requirements, which became effective July 1, include: (1) a second dose of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine and a second dose of Mumps vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity for children entering kindergarten, sixth grade or students entering a Georgia school for the first time in any grade; (2) Hepatitis A vaccine or laboratory proof of immunity for children enrolled in school or childcare facilities and were born on or after Jan. 1, 2006; and (3) the vaccine to prevent pneumonia for children under five years of age and who are enrolled in child care centers, Pre-K or Head Start.

Parents are encouraged to schedule appointments with their local health departments or their private practitioners to get proper vaccines for their children. The Georgia Vaccines for Children Program (VFC), a statewide resource available to service families, receives state and federal funding to purchase vaccines and distribute them to public health clinics and other healthcare providers. The state's VFC program supplies more than 2.5 million doses of vaccines to these organizations on an annual basis. To be eligible for the state and federal vaccine supply, children must fall into one of the following categories:

• Must be enrolled in Medicaid or PeachCare

• Alaska native or American Indian

• Underinsured (has health insurance but vaccines are not covered under the policy)

• Uninsured.

The goal of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is to increase public awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to the elderly. Immunizations are one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. They have also helped eradicate smallpox and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella and other diseases.

For more information about National Immunization Awareness Month, please visit http:// www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/ niam/. Additional information about infant immunization schedules is available at http:// health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization.