August Is National Immunization Awareness Month

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By Published: August 05 2014

LongIsland.com

Nassau County Department of Health Reminds Parents of Importance of Vaccinations

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Nassau County, NY - August 5, 2014 - Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein, remind parents that updating their children's vaccinations should be added to their back-to-school list. Vaccines offer the best known protection against many devastating illnesses.
 
“Nassau County continues to see cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, mumps and pertussis,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. “The single best way to protect our children and the entire community from these serious and potentially life-threatening diseases is by ensuring appropriate vaccinations.”
 
The following is the New York State school immunization requirements for school entrance/attendance:
 

Vaccines

 

Pre-Kindergarten

(Day Care, Nursery, Head Start, or Pre-K)

School (K-12)

Diphtheria Toxoid-Containing Vaccine

3 doses

3 doses

Tetanus Toxoid-Containing Vaccine and Pertussis Vaccine (DTaP, DTP)

3 doses if born on or after 1/1/2005

3 doses if born on or after 1/1/2005

Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Booster (Tdap)

Not applicable

Born on or after 1/1/1994 and enrolling in grades 6 through 10 for the 2013-2014 school year.1 dose

Polio (IPV or OPV)

3 doses

3 doses

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

1 dose

2 doses of measles-containing vaccine and 1 dose each of mumps and rubella (preferably as MMR)

Hepatitis B

3 doses

3 doses

Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib)

3 doses if less than 15 months of age or 1 dose administered on or after 15 months of age

Not applicable

Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)

Born on or after 1/1/2008

4 doses by 15 months of age,

given at age-appropriate times and intervals

Not applicable

Varicella (Chickenpox)

1 dose

Born on or after 1/1/2000

1 dose
In addition to the immunizations required by day cares, nursery, pre-kindergarten, primary and secondary schools, the following are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: influenza, meningococcal, rotavirus, hepatitis A, and human papilloma virus vaccines. These groups also recommend additional doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, mumps, rubella, polio, haemophilus influenzae type b, and varicella vaccines. Some of these may be obligatory for enrollment in post-secondary schools or health care training programs. New York State’s Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) provides required vaccines to health care providers at no cost for uninsured children and those whose health insurance does not cover childhood immunizations.
 

The Nassau County Department of Health also reminds adults that they never outgrow the need for vaccines. The specific immunizations needed are determined by factors such as age, lifestyle, presence of high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunization history.

For additional information, visit the Nassau County Department of Health website or call the Immunization Hotline weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at (516) 227-9416.