“If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check with your doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs”. There are some changes to requirements for the 2016 – 2017 school year.
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IN students need even more shots. Among children born during 1994-2013, vaccination will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.
“Whether it’s whooping cough or measles, children who don’t get recommended vaccines are at risk of getting the disease and of having a severe case”, said Tim Heath, immunization coordinator for the department.
The start of school is just around the corner. Vaccines against certain diseases that may be encountered when traveling outside the United States are recommended for travelers to specific regions of the world.
Here’s the state health department’s breakdown: the highest amount of exemptions coming from the Oklahoma City metro area and Tulsa.
In addition to administering vaccinations and giving a physical exam, make sure to have your provider fill out your child’s school’s sports team’s required physical forms, if necessary.
In Kentucky, kids going into the sixth grade need tetanus, chickenpox, and meningitis boosters.
Students in all grades, except 3, 5 and 12, must show proof of two doses of varicella.
Out of all illnesses or diseases, the CDC says from January to June 2016, nearly 6,000 cases of whooping cough in children were reported by all 50 states and Puerto Rico. “Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease”.
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Vaccinations are available from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday at the Stephens County Health Department located at 1401 W Bois D’Arc Ave.in Duncan. For more information, visit www.framinghamma.gov/vaccines or call the health department at 508-532-5470.
