Immunization works!

  • By Leslie Knowling, Holmes County Health Department
  • April 24, 2010
  • 525
                        
Recently, parents may have received letters from their child’s school concerning additions to immunization requirements for the 2010-2011 school year. These changes affect children entering kindergarten and those entering seventh grade. What are the changes and why were they made? Children entering kindergarten have had two changes to the requirements. The first is that all children must have two doses of varicella vaccine (chickenpox) given on or after 12 months of age and at least one month apart. Following the introduction of the vaccine, rates of serious disease and hospitalization dropped. Since that time, reported cases have remained constant and it was found that 15 percent of those receiving one dose developed disease. The Centers for Disease Control recommended the second dose in 2007 after studies showed that a second dose resulted in 98 percent protection against any varicella disease and 100 percent protection from serious varicella disease. Children entering kindergarten will also be required to have a dose of polio vaccine after age four. Most children who have followed the recommended immunization schedule will have had this dose. Due to the use of some vaccine combinations, some children may receive four doses prior to age four and will need a fifth dose. Studies have shown that the farther apart the doses are spaced as well as the older the child when receiving the last dose, the more effective the vaccine. Young people entering seventh grade will be required to receive a dose of the Tdap vaccine. This vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). In the past, students did not receive additional whooping cough protection after starting school. However, whooping cough cases persist, causing medical expense, missed school and work, and sometimes, hospitalization. Whooping cough is very contagious and protection from vaccine or disease does not last. It is hoped that immunizing students as they enter the upper grades will reduce the occurrence of this disease. These immunizations are available from your doctor or the health department. Call 330-674-5035 or visit the website www.holmeshealth.org for information.


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