For Immediate Release - Aug 4, 2010
| Contact: |
Nancy Braden
Public Health Communications Coordinator
303-239-7137 |
Re: Back-to-School Immunizations
Ready for School? Books, backpacks, clothes,
pencils and IMMUNIZATIONS!
Parents are encouraged to take their children to their health care provider this summer to get check-ups and immunizations. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) also has immunization clinics for families needing vaccinations.
Recommended vaccinations:
Be sure your child is up-to-date on childhood immunizations. For complete schedule of recommendations please see: http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/dc/Immunization/ped_sched.pdf. All JCPH Immunization clinics are by appointment only! Call 303-232-6301 to schedule an appointment in Arvada or Lakewood
Some Newer Vaccines for Special Age Groups
- Pneumococcal vaccine, Prevnar13, protects against blood infections, pneumonia and meningitis and is required for all Colorado children up to 23 months of age in licensed childcare centers. It is recommended for all children up to 5 years of age.
- Varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox. Children entering kindergarten through 3rd grade are required to have a second dose of varicella vaccine. The second dose is required unless documentation that child has already had chickenpox is provided.
- Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis and is a new requirement for all Colorado children entering 6th thru 12th grade during the 2010/11 school year. Tdap vaccine is available for persons 10 through 64 years of age. A current Tdap vaccine is also important for adults, including teachers childcare providers and new parents. Tdap vaccine is recommended every 10 years.
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine prevents cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by certain types of HPV. The vaccine, Gardasil®, protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. The HPV vaccine is recommended for 11-26 year-old females and males, and can be given as young as 9. Ideally the vaccine should be given before they are sexually active.
- Meningococcal vaccine (Menactra) protects adolescents and college students from the devastating effects of meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is a bacterial infection that causes swelling of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The Menactra vaccine is now recommended for children 11-12 years old. It is further recommended that ALL adolescents who were not previously immunized, receive the vaccine. College freshmen living in dormitories should also receive this immunization.
- Annual Flu vaccine protects against influenza or flu and is now recommended annually for all persons 6months and older. The new recommendation signals the importance of preventing influenza across the entire population.
For more information, please visit the JCPH web site at http://jeffco.us/health or call Jefferson County Public Health Immunization Program at 303-232-6301. Under Colorado law, parents may choose to have their children exempted from immunization requirements for medical, religious or personal reasons. |
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