ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 22, 1997 TAG: 9704220053
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Health Notes
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY
Being happy about kids getting injections sounds slightly odd, but members of The Community Based Immunization Project are ecstatic about it. Judging from a new survey involving 814 2-year-olds seen at four pediatric practices, the Roanoke Valley has gotten better about vaccinating its children against disease.
A survey of three pediatric practices in 1995 showed immunization rates from 56 percent to 77 percent. The 1997 survey, at the same three practices and a new one, found an immunization range of 70 percent to 87 percent.
The overall Virginia rate is 74 percent, about the median for all states. Maine and Vermont are in the high 80s; West Virginia, Idaho and Alaska in the mid-60s.
The nation has set a goal of having a 90 percent immunization rate of 2-year-olds by 2000. The rate for those seen at the Roanoke Public Health Department already is at 90 percent, said nurse Sandy McBride, an immunization specialist and member of the project.
Over the past few years, project workers have publicized the importance of getting children protected through distribution of brochures, free immunization clinics, information booths at health fairs and at factories, and contacts with professionals. The project is made up of representatives from Carilion Medical Center for Children, Columbia Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Child Health Investment Partnership, Kiwanis, Lewis-Gale Clinic, McDonald's, Roanoke and Alleghany Health Departments, physicians and Total Action Against Poverty's Head Start program.
McBride said the group also will try to get doctors and parents to take advantage of all opportunities to get children the vaccinations, including getting all shots at one visit.
The group also hopes parents will be more aggressive in keeping up with the shots. McBride suggests they keep a copy of their child's records at home. Those records will be needed, in fact, by anyone who plans to take the child to some of the upcoming special immunization clinics.
Awareness of the importance of immunization has become more important because there is some indication that diseases we thought we had beaten are returning. Last year, for example, the state had its highest number of whooping cough cases, 107, since 1970.
Not all children get vaccinations anymore, because not all children attend public schools where they are required.
Following are some bits and pieces about immunizations:
SHOTS RECOMMENDED: diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw), pertussis (whooping cough), flu type B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), varicella zoster (chickenpox) and hepatitis B. Chickenpox and hepatitis B are not currently required for admission to public school. Hepatitis B will be required for 2-year-olds entering kindergarten in 1999.
POLIO SHOT VS. POLIO LIQUID: Both are available. With the shot, there is no danger of contracting vaccine-induced polio and that makes it good for a child who is around anyone with a weakened immune system. With the liquid, there is a small risk of getting polio, but it also gives excellent immunity.
NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION HOT LINE: 1-800-232-2522, run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides information and brochures to doctors, nurses or families on vaccines and side effects.
VIRGINIA IMMUNIZATION HOT LINE: 1-800-568-1929, can give you numbers of local health departments and information on which vaccines are needed for entrance into school.
CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION CLINIC: Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m., Southeast Roanoke Family Medical Center, 2145 Mount Pleasant Road S.E. Chickenpox vaccine will not be available.
PARENTING FAIR: May 10, Salem Civic Center, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All required shots offered free.
NEW RIVER CLINICS: Floyd Family Practice Center; today, Tuesday, 4-8 p.m.; or call (540) 831-5774 for other clinics. Also, free hamburgers Wednesday, 3-5 p.m., at Christiansburg McDonald's, and Thursday, 3-5 p.m., at Pulaski McDonald's Virginia 99, to first 25 parents who present an up-to-date record for any child under 2.
BEDFORD HEALTH DEPARTMENT CLINICS: First and third Wednesdays, 9-11 a.m.; second Wednesdays, 4-7 p.m.; fourth Wednesdays, 2-4 p.m.
Teen suicide lecture
Psychologist Isabela Sardas will discuss symptoms of depression in children and teen-agers Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m., in the Lewis-Gale Foundation auditorium. Call (540) 774-4022 for more information.
You can reach Sandra Brown Kelly at 1-800-346-1234, x393, 981-3393 or at sandrak@roanoke.com
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