Immunization clinic provides important service to area children

The Henry County Public Health Department will observe National Infant Immunization Week April 23 ? April 30. In observance of this significant week, all children receiving immunizations during the month of April at the Public Health Department will receive a free stuffed animal donated by the Henry County Health Center Auxiliary.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. Pertussis is the only vaccine preventable disease that is on the rise in the U.S. Before the vaccine for pertussis was developed there were about 200,000 cases of pertussis annually in the United States with about 8,000 deaths from the disease yearly. In 2008 there were more than 10,000 reported cases, although the CDC estimates that the actual number of cases may reach as high as one million annually. In fact, Henry County has had 20 pertussis cases in the past fifteen months. In 2010, the U.S. had over 21,000 cases of whooping cough reported and 26 deaths, most in children younger than 6 months.

Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.

Fact: Half of infants who contract pertussis are infected by their own parents. Most unvaccinated children living with a family member with pertussis will contract the disease. Source: http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/pdfs/Pertussis-Factsheet.pdf

Tdap, a combined tetanus?diphtheria?pertussis vaccine, is given to adolescents and adults as a booster shot every 10 years. This is particularly important for caregivers and families of newborns, including healthcare workers. Adults age 65 years and older who anticipate having close contact with an infant younger than age 12 months (e.g., grandparents, childcare providers, healthcare providers) are also recommended to receive the Tdap vaccination. Once fully immunized, the Tdap vaccine provides up to 85-percent protection against pertussis. Source: CDC

The CDC requires the following vaccinations for school entry: a series of five DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis); four IPV (Polio); three Hepatitis B; two MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella); and two Varicella (chickenpox), unless a child has already had the chickenpox disease. It is also important to immunize adolescents against serious diseases like meningitis, tetanus, whooping cough and cervical cancer.

?We also have adult immunizations available. Our adult vaccinations include Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis, MMR, Meningitis and flu vaccine. Call us for pricing and questions regarding recommended adult vaccines,? said Tessa Yakle, RN, Public Health Nurse. For questions regarding vaccines for travel, please visit www.cdc.gov.

Henry County Public Health offers all the recommended vaccines for infants, toddlers and youth. The Henry County Public Health Immunization Clinic is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1-4 p.m. and the first Thursday of every month from 1-6 p.m. The Public Health Department is located east of Henry County Health Center?s main entrance. No appointment is necessary. Immunizations administered to children 0-18 years are provided by the state at no charge if the patient does not have insurance that covers the cost of immunizations. If insurance coverage is available, please make an appointment with your physician to receive immunizations.

For a listing of immunization ages, dosages and records or for more information about immunizations, contact the Public Health Department at 319-385-6724 or check out the Iowa Department of Public Health website at www.idph.state.ia.us.