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CONTACT: Stephanie Smiley, (608)
266-5862
IMMUNIZATIONS GIVE KIDS A HEALTHY START TO THE SCHOOL YEAR
Pertussis Vaccination is Critical in Light of State Outbreak
MADISON—State health
officials are encouraging parents to put vaccinations at the top of
their children’s back-to-school lists. While Wisconsin traditionally has
high compliance rates with childhood immunization requirements, this
year’s pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak makes getting this vaccine
especially important.
“Immunizations are
key to ensuring a healthy start to the school year, for your child and
for their classmates,” said Dr. Henry Anderson, State Health Officer.
“Following age-appropriate vaccination guidelines will help keep them
healthy and in school rather than sick at home with an illness that
could have been prevented.”
With the widespread
outbreak of more than 3,700 pertussis cases in Wisconsin this year,
parents are urged to make sure children are vaccinated against the
disease. For middle and high school students, state requirements include
a dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap).
Most children will also need to meet the requirement for a second dose
of varicella vaccine to prevent chicken pox, which is being phased in.
Parents are encouraged to check with their children’s schools to confirm
whether their children need the second dose.
The seasonal
influenza vaccine is already available in many Wisconsin communities and
the recommended target group is everyone age six months and older. This
year’s seasonal vaccine again includes immunization against the H1N1
virus.
Vaccinations are
recommended not only for children entering grades K-12, but also for
college students, particularly freshmen living in dormitories. These
students should be immunized against meningitis and hepatitis B.
Parents and
caregivers with insurance are encouraged to schedule their children’s
immunizations with their family’s physician. Also, parents should keep
track of each immunization children receive, and can review these
records in the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR):
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/publicAccess.htm.
Health care providers can also assist parents to access these records.
For information on
the Wisconsin Immunization Program, visit:
www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization
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Last Revised:
August 20, 2012
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