Health department hits 100 percent for National Infant Immunization Week

Tears still glisten in 5-year-old Kendall Miller eyes as her little sister, two-month-old Josilin, gets her shots next from Nancy Miller LPN, left, and Pam Klug, with the help of Marlene Foster, right. Marlene and Glenda Unger are volunteers to the Health Department during immunization clinics. Kendall and Josilin are the daughters of Dave and Jessica Miller of McCook. (Connie Jo Discoe/McCook Daily Gazette)

The Red Willow County Health Department observes "National Infant Immunization Week," April 25-May 2, with 100 percent of its infant clients immunized.

The health department's immunization coverage surpasses the goal of "Immunization Healthy People 2010," which aspires to have at least 90 percent of children receive their shots: three doses of diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (Dtap), two doses of polio vaccine, two does of Hib (Haemophilus influenzae Type b) and two doses of hepatitis B, all by 12 months of age.

Margaret Swanda of McCook, director of the Red Willow County Health Department, says that "National Infant Immunization Week" highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases, and celebrates the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities.

Swanda said it is a mission of the Health Department to maintain the high percentage of children under age two that the Health Department serves who complete their basic immunization series. The department's activities, she said, reinforce and promote preventative health care practices through education and timely immunizations.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective health tools available for preventing disease and death. "They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases," a CDC press release on infant immunizations indicates.

Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious disease; that is why it is critical to protect them through immunization, the CDC states. Each day, according to the CDC, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable disease before age two.

The CDC believes that immunization is a shared responsibility: Families, healthcare providers and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community.

"Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases. Parents are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider to ensure that their infant is up-to-date on immunizations."

Vaccine-preventable diseases are at an all-time low in the United States, according to the CDC, but parents must be made aware that their children are still at risk for serious and life-threatening diseases prevented by vaccine.

The CDC states that immunizations are extremely safe. "Vaccines are thoroughly tests before being approved for public use, and monitored carefully by doctors, researchers and public health officials," the press release states.

Vaccines not only prevent disease, they reduce the costs associated with missed time from work, doctor visits and hospitalizations.

Red Willow County's Health Department's participation in an "Immunization Action Program Plan" grant through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services provides families in Southwest Nebraska the opportunity to receive free, comprehensive immunization coverage. "Our clinics are scheduled to optimize immunization opportunities," Swanda said, "providing flexible hours and several clinics per month."

Partial-day clinics are offered twice monthly, along with a third available date for children who have a small window of time to receive Rotavirus and Hepatitis A. vaccines

Partial-day clinics are also conducted monthly, as funding allows, at alternate sites in the TCDC Building in Trenton and in St. John's Catholic Parish Hall in Cambridge.

During the influenza season, random clinics are conducted at the health department office on the fairgrounds in McCook, in the 1400 block of West Fifth.

Swanda said that phone calls and/or appointment card reminders are given prior to clinics to decrease missed appointments.

The clinic schedule is sent to area schools, medical clinics, WIC (Women, Infants and Children), and television, radio and newspaper.

"We work closely with area school nurses regarding student compliance with state immunization regulations," Swanda said. Monthly reports are sent to physicians and school nurses.

More information on immunizations and schedules of clinics can be obtained by contacting the Red Willow County Health Department at (308) 345-1790; (toll free) (877) 250-2057.; or at www.co.red-willow.ne.us /health