In the News - August 2009
Back to School: Immunizations for school-aged children a must for registration
LITTLE ROCK - Diseases such as diphtheria and measles that could cause
blindness or even death in children, are reaching record-low levels thanks to
vaccination, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
"However, parents should not take this as a sign not to vaccinate their
children," Dr. Margaret Harris, extension health specialist with the University
of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said. "These vaccinations are what is
keeping those serious diseases at bay."
Vaccinating school-aged children is also the law. The Arkansas State Board of
Health requires that "No child (kindergarten through grade 12) shall be admitted
to a public or private school in Arkansas who has not been age-appropriately
immunized."
Required immunizations include the following:
- Diphtheria
- Haemophilus influenzae type B
- Hepatitis B
- Mumps
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Pneumococcal disease
- Poliomyelitis
- Rubella (German measles)
- Rubeola (red measles)
- Tetanus
- Varicella (chickenpox)
Parents or guardians may provide proof of vaccination - including information
on vaccine type and dates of administration - in one of the following forms:
- Certificate by a licensed physician
- Certificate from a public health department
- Certificate from a military service
- Official record from another educational institution in
Arkansas
"Immunizations have protected millions and saved the lives of thousands of
children," said Harris.
Harris offered background about some of the diseases. Diphtheria used to be a
major cause of childhood illness. In the 1920s, 150,000 children contracted
diphtheria, and about 15,000 children died.
Measles is a highly contagious virus with complications including
encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and death. Measles is the leading cause
of blindness in children in Africa and kills approximately one million children
each year worldwide.
Pertussis, or whooping cough, is highly contagious. Infants are most at risk
for severe complications such as apnea, bacterial pneumonia, seizures,
encephalopathy and death.
Polio is highly infectious, attacks the nervous system and caused severe
illness in thousands until Dr. Jonas Salk introduced the vaccine was introduced
in 1955.
Rubella, also known as German measles, tends to be a mild disease. However, a
pregnant woman who contracts rubella has an 80 percent chance that her baby will
be born deaf or blind, with a damaged heart or brain.
If parents needed an additional incentive to vaccinate, Harris said the
diseases still exist and in at least one case, are returning.
"Pertussis in particular is a major public health problem, making a comeback
since the 1980s," she said. "The Centers for Disease Control reported more than
10,000 cases in 2007, with 10 deaths nationwide."
For more information about childhood immunizations, you may wish to visit the
websites of the Arkansas Department of Health or the Centers for Disease
Control.
The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture and offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability,
marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an
Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
August 7, 2009
Media Contact: Elizabeth Fortune
Extension Communications Specialist
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
efortune@uaex.edu
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