April 22, 2008

VACCINATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS

Vaccines Prevent Diseases

Based on recent reports of measles in Nassau County, in nearby counties, and in some countries in Europe and the mid-east, the Nassau County Department of Health reminds families that updating children's vaccinations should be a priority for your family’s health.

One out of 30 children with measles develops pneumonia. For every 1,000 children who get the disease, one or two will die from it. Because of the effectiveness of the vaccine, we have few cases of measles in the U.S. today. However, the disease is extremely contagious, and each year dozens of cases are imported from abroad into the U.S., threatening the health of people who have not been vaccinated and those for whom the vaccine was not effective.

The United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history. Years of testing are required by law before a vaccine can be licensed. Once in use, vaccines are continually monitored for safety and efficacy.

According to the CDC, vaccines are held to the highest standard of safety. Immunizations, like any medication, can cause side effects. However, a decision not to immunize a child also involves risk. It is a decision that places the child and others who come into contact with him or her at risk of contracting a disease that could be dangerous or deadly.

The following immunizations are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b, varicella, influenza, pneumococcal, meningococcal, rotavirus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and human papilloma virus vaccines. Many of these are obligatory for enrollment in day care, pre-K, elementary, high school and/or post-secondary schools or health care training programs. 

Additional information and vaccination schedules may be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/, or by calling the Nassau County Department of Health Immunization Hotline weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at 227-9416.