An Early Dose of Prevention
There’s good news on the children’s health front: A record number of children have been immunized, cases of vaccine-preventable diseases are down and new vaccines are either available or being developed to combat additional diseases.
“Parents are more aware and recognizing the importance of immunizations,” said Suzanne Rue, communicable disease resource nurse for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
But it’s not always easy keeping track of schedules and new vaccines, even for the most diligent parent.
Two developments should help ease confusion: Federal health officials are looking into the feasibility of state- and community-based immunization registries, and it’s likely there will be more combination vaccinations in the future, meaning fewer injections.
October is Children’s Health Month, so here’s a look at the latest news and facts about immunizations:
Updates
Hepatitis B
Now required for entry into kindergarten in California any licensed child-care program. As of July 1, 1999, will be required for students entering or advancing to the seventh grade.
Measles
Second dose now required of all children entering kindergarten.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
So-called “acellular” vaccine may now be given for all five doses. Whole-cell vaccine previously given to infants was associated with serious side effects.
Polio
Oral vaccine, shot or a combination of the two now acceptable.
Varicella (chickenpox)
Licensed by the government in March 1995, one dose may be any time after first birthday. For those 13 or older two doses are needed.
How They Work
A 1796 experiment by British physician Edward Jenner led to the world’s first vaccination. He inserted matter from a dairymaid’s cowpox sore into the arm of a healthy boy, who then caught cowpox, a minor disease. When Jenner put smallpox matter into the boy’s arm 48 days later, he didn’t catch the potentially fatal disease.
1. A vaccine containing a live weakened or dead disease germ is given by injection or as a liquid in the mouth.
2. The immune system is provoked to make antibodies to fight the weakened or dead germs.
3. Antibodies practice on the weak germs so when the real germs invade a body, the antibodies will know how to destroy them, and the illness will not take hold.
4. If the real microorganism enters the body, the antibodies are produced in large numbers to stop the infection. Most vaccines begin to provide immunity in about two weeks. However, many vaccines require booster shots to ensure continued immunity.
Immunization rates by state
Percentage of children, 19-35 month olds, immunized as of 1996:
Top 5 States
1. Connecticut: 88%
2. Maine: 87%
3. Massachusetts: 87%
4. South Carolina: 86%
5. Vermont: 86%
****
Bottom 5 States
46. Oregon: 72%
47. West Virginia: 72%
48. Nevada: 71%
49. Idaho: 68%
50. Utah: 64%
Los Angeles County: 81%
California: 78%
U.S. average: 78%
Cases of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
*--*
Nationwide 1996 LA County 1995 Diphtheria 1 0 Measles 488 7 Mumps 658 42 Pertussis (whooping cough) 6,467 101 Polio (paralytic) 0 0 Rubella (German measles) 210 3 Congenital Rubella Syndrome 2 n/a Tetanus 27 4 Hepatitis B 9,994 218 Haemophilus influenzae type b 276 6 Varicella (chickenpox) 3.9 mil. n/a
*--*
Free Vaccines
It costs the uninsured approximately $318 to fully vaccinate a child through a private doctor--just for the serum alone--not including the cost of office visits. What if you can’t afford it? The following hotlines for a referral to a free vaccination clinic.
Los Angeles County vaccination hotline: (800) 427-8700 (multiple languages)
CDC’s National Immunization Information hotline: (800) 232-2522 (English); (800) 232-0233 (Spanish)
Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule
Approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Hepatitis B
Dose 1: Birth-3 months
Dose 2,3: 1 month-15 months
Catch up*: 11-12 years
*
Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
Dose, 1,2,3: 2-6 months
Dose 4,5: 15 months-6 years
Tetanus and Diptheria booster: 11-12 years; 14-16 years
*
H. Influenza Type B
Dose 1,2: 2-4 months
Dose 3**: 6 months
Dose 3/4: 12-15 months
*
Polio
Dose 1,2: 2-4 months
Dose 3: 12-15 months
Dose 4: 4-6 years
*
Measles, mumps, Rubella
Dose 1: 12-15 months
Dose 2: 4-12 years
*
Varicella***
Dose 1: 12-18 months
catch up*: 11-12 years
* Given to those not previously vaccinated
** Third dose not needed if PedvaxHIB vaccine by Merck used
*** May be given aytime after first birthday. Not required for school entry.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Immunization Branch of the California Dept. of Health Services, Los Angeles County Dept. of Health Services, American Academy of Pediatrics, World Book, staff reports
Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times
