Nassau County, NY - August 11, 2015 - 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.
County Executive Mangano stated, “The single best way to protect our children and the entire community from serious and potentially life-threatening diseases is by ensuring appropriate vaccinations. Vaccines are among the safest most cost-effective ways to prevent disease.”
In addition to the State required immunizations for day care settings and 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. Some of these vaccines may be obligatory for enrollment in post-secondary schools or health care training programs.
“Nassau County continues to see cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, including mumps and pertussis,” added County Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein. “Protecting your children from preventable diseases will keep them healthy and in school.”
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, travel locations, medical conditions, occupation, and previous immunization history. Even healthy young adults can get sick from vaccine-preventable diseases. Protection from vaccines received during childhood can wear off with time and put people at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases.
For additional information on immunizations for children and adults, visit the New York State Department of Health website or contact the Nassau County Department of Health Immunization Hotline weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at (516) 227-9416.