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Back-to-school immunizations:
Review the immunization schedule to make sure your children are on track
to be fully protected from these twelve
preventable diseases. Then find out about free immunizations in Island County.
And remember — immunizations are not just for children. . . <40,000 adults die in the U.S. each year from vaccine
preventable diseases (the top 3 causes: Influenza,
Pneumococcal disease, and Hepatitis)
. . . click here for information about
recommended adult immunizations
. . . click
here for information about recommended immunizations for children
. . . and here for more information about
vaccine-preventable diseases
(PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES)
Weekly Flu Activity – US
& Worldwide
Immunization Clinic Location &
Schedules
Influenza Vaccine (flu
shot) info Hepatitis A Vaccine
info
Children
with Special Health Care Needs - Swine Flu Fact Sheet
Pertussis
Flyer (Whooping Cough)
Washington State Dept. of
Health Immunization Information Page
Updated List of Washington State Supplied Vaccines
CDC Travel
Information Page
Publications on Vaccine Preventable
Diseases
Plain Talk About
Childhood Immunizations
(Children's Vaccine Program - What you need to know)
World Health Organization
Immunization News
Families Often Do Not Realize Their Children Are
Behind on Immunizations
Only 82% of all infants in Washington State (about the same in Island
County) have all the shots they need by the age of two... and parents often do not
realize their child is behind on immunizations. Immunizing infants at the earliest age
is best. Infants are more likely to suffer severe health problems if they get one of the
nine vaccine preventable diseases. That's why families need to double check whether their
child's immunizations are up-to-date. Even if your child is behind schedule, it's never
too late to catch up! We can help you determine
your child's immunization status.
This Recommended
Immunization Schedule will keep you on track.
Immunizations Are Okay Even If Your
Child Has a Minor Illness
Immunizations can be given and should be requested during any visit
to your doctor or nurse, even if your child has a minor illness, such as mild fever, a
cold, diarrhea or is taking antibiotics. The vaccine will be
effective. It will not make the child sicker. Receiving all immunizations
when they are due is an important way to complete each vaccine series on time and prevent
extra visits.
Vaccine Safety
Some children may have minor side effects to vaccines, such
as a mild fever or soreness where the shot is given. It is very rare for a child to have a
serious reaction to a vaccine. In fact, it is much more likely
that your child will suffer severe health problems from serious diseases if he or she is
not immunized against them. The vaccine will not give your child the disease, nor can your
child pass the disease to others by receiving the vaccine*.
For more information about the safety of vaccines,
please check here.
*Polio vaccine may be a rare exception - check with your doctor or nurse.
Immunizations
Are Cost Effective
According to CDC, savings range from $29 saved for every dollar spent on
DTP vaccination to $2 saved for every dollar spent on hepatitis B vaccine. Few
preventive public health programs can compare. (See
Chart)
Immunizations Prevent Twelve
Serious Childhood Diseases:
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
— Photos of people with
these diseases
Measles causes a high fever, rash and cold-like symptoms. It can
lead to hearing loss, breathing and lung problems, brain damage, and even death. Measles
spreads so easily that a child who has not been immunized will most likely get it.
(classic appearance of Measles, and here)
Mumps can cause headache, fever, and swelling of the
cheeks and jaw. It can lead to hearing loss, meningitis (swelling of the brain and spinal
cord), and brain damage.
Rubella (German Measles) causes a
slight fever and a rash on the face and neck. It spreads from person to person very
easily, through coughing, sneezing, or just talking. The greatest danger from rubella is
to unborn babies. Pregnant women who get rubella can lose their babies, or have babies
with severe birth defects.
Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTP)
—
Diphtheria can cause paralysis, breathing and heart problems, and
even death.
Tetanus an cause muscle spasms, breathing and heart problems and
death.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) causes
very long spells of coughing that make it hard for a child to eat, drink, or even breathe.
It can cause lung problems, seizures. brain damage, and death.
Polio (OPV/IPV) —
Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib)
—
Hib disease can cause infection of the joints, skin, and blood,
meningitis; brain damage, and even death. It is very dangerous to children under age five.
Hepatitis B (Hep B) —
Hepatitis B is a serious liver infection. It can be passed from
an infected mother to her newborn during childbirth or from one person to another through
blood or bodily fluids. The virus can cause live damage, liver cancer, and death.
Hepatitis B vaccine will not protect against other forms of hepatitis.
Frequently
Asked Questions about Hepatitis B; Find out more at
Hepatitis A, B, & C Protection
Varicella (Chickenpox) — Photos
of people with this
Chickenpox is a highly contagious common viral illness
which is usually relatively benign in childhood, but is much more serious in its
manifestations for adults. For this reason, the recently approved and highly effective
vaccine for Varicella is being considered for routine administration for children and for
all adults with a negative history for having had chickenpox.
Learn more about Varicella (chickenpox)
(Factsheet on Varicella in Childhood)
Detailed information about the Varicella-Zoster Virus (click here)
Pneumococcal Disease —
Pneumococcal vaccine is very good at
preventing severe disease, hospitalization, and death. However it is not guaranteed to
prevent all symptoms in all people. There are two different pneumococcal vaccines: one, pneumococcal
polysaccharide, is generally used for people over 65 and a new one, pneumococcal
conjugate, is used for young children.
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide vaccine
contains antigens from 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. It is recommended for
adults’ 65 years of age and over, as well as for children two years old and older
with certain long-term illnesses. This vaccine is generally given only once in a lifetime.
Adults and children at highest risk of serious pneumococcal infection are recommended to
be revaccinated five or more years after the first dose. In addition, adults that were
vaccinated before age 65 should be revaccinated after 5 years have elapsed.
Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (PCV7)
contains 7 serotypes of the pneumonia virus. It is recommended for all children less than
23 months of age and high-risk children 24-59 months of age. The normal schedule for
vaccination is 2, 4 and 6 months of age and a booster dose at 12-15 months of age.
Unvaccinated children older than 7 months will require fewer doses.
Another vaccine is being recommended by ACIP
for routine administration in western United States (considered a 'high risk area') . . .
Hepatitis A (Hep A) vaccine —
Hepatitis A is serious liver infection,
also. It is passed by putting something in the mouth that has been contaminated with the
stool of a person with hepatitis A. This type of transmission is called
"fecal-oral" transmission, and can easily spread in areas where there are poor
sanitary conditions, or where good personal hygiene is not observed. Most infections
result from contact with a family household member or sex partner who has hepatitis A.
Casual contact does not spread the virus. There is a vaccine to prevent this disease.
Find out more at the Frequently Asked Questions
About Hepatitis A site.
For more information on these diseases and the immunizations which can
help protect you and your family, please look at the National Immunization Program's Immunization Information Page.
A printable summary of adult immunization information is also available at
the following site: Immunization
Action Coalition (the most complete immunization information center online).
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