ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, September 10, 1996 TAG: 9609100034
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: LESLIE HAGER-SMITH SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
If your child hasn't had his or her shots yet, the New River Valley Immunization Coalition would like to take a stab at it. Free of charge. At your convenience.
The community partnership plans to sponsor free immunization clinics at doctors' offices after work hours.
Nearly every child in Virginia has been fully immunized by age 6, because they can't enter public schools without the shots. But younger, more vulnerable children are frequently unprotected.
In the New River Valley, about 40 percent of children have not received the recommended series of shots by age 2. Ironically, they need the shots more than their school-age peers who are receiving them. According to Sylvia Bond, a New River Health District nurse, the toddlers' young immune systems aren't as well developed.
There are several reasons some parents risk it, according to Dr. Jody Hershey, health director for the New River District.
Some families are uninsured and unaware that they can get the shots free. On average, the cost of a full range of shots for children runs in excess of $280 over six years. Many parents work during doctors' office hours and others are one-car families.
Health Department offices have always administered the vaccines to those who could make the trip. In-school clinics are held every April for entering kindergartners in Montgomery County, and for entering sixth-graders throughout the New River Valley. as well.
"We wanted to try going out into the private sector to see if it would make a difference in the numbers," says Hershey. "We provide the supplies. We produce a hard copy of the immunization records for the parents. The private physician contributes a caring staff, willing to share their waiting room and their smiles with patients."
"It doesn't matter if you make $250,000 or $200 a year," he adds. Tax dollars pay to protect your children against potentially fatal but vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, whooping cough, tetanus, polio or meningitis.
Fewer than half a dozen residents took advantage of the first such clinic, held Thursday from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. in Pearisburg at the Giles Family Practice of Drs. Ken Walker, Bob Devereaux and Michael McMahon.
Mary Ann Walker, pediatric nurse practitioner, was confident, however, that news of the clinics would spread through word-of-mouth.
Dizzy the Dinosaur, a 9-foot royal blue giant, greeted those children who did attend.
"Cody loved him," said Cheryl Lowe of her 3-year old son. The boy was so eager to see the prehistoric ambassador that he barely noticed the needle.
"I'm a single mom. I work late hours every day, so I have to take a day off and then make an appointment to get shots for my child," said Lowe.
The NRV Immunization Coalition, a group of health care providers, school boards, service organizations and local businesses, is part of the Healthy People 2000 national health initiative. Its goal is to see 90 percent of preschool children immunized by the year 2000.
Physicians interested in hosting a free immunization clinic may call the New River Health District office at 831-5774.
Parents interested in taking a child to an immunization clinic can call 831-5774. Ask for Sylvia Bond, district immunization nurse.
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