Back-To-School Immunizations A Must (NAPSA)—Each year, children miss the first day of school because they do not have the immunizations needed to enter a particular grade. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Ronald McDonald House Charities? (RMHC) want to remind parents to immunize their children on schedule as the best protection against dangerous childhood diseases and to avoid missed time at school. “One of the most important steps a parent can take to main- tain their child’s health is to immunize them on schedule against deadly, preventable diseases,” says Louis Z. Cooper, MD, FAAP,president of the AAP. “The success of immunizations can make parents think these diseases no longer exist. In reality it’s because the vaccines are working that we rarely see a child with measles, for example. Therefore, it’s imperative that we never take the importance of proper immunizations for granted.” According to Dr. Cooper there are three key points parents need to know about immunizing their children: By keeping your child up-todate on recommended immunizations (see attached chart), you not only protect your child but also your family and community against the spread of infectious diseases. Vaccines are extremely safe. Like any medicine, vaccines may cause reactions in somechildren, but they are usually mild. * Immunizations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. But because the youngest children are especially vulnerable to infection, most doses of vaccine are given before the ageof two. Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule United States, 2002 Rangeof recommended ages Birth Hepatitis B Hep B #l Catch-upvaccination 12.) 1 mo |2mos| 4 mos|6 mos} mos only if mother HBsAg(-) Hep B #2 15 mos 18 mos Preadolescent assessment 24 mos 46 yrs |11-12/13-18 yrs yrs Hep B #3 Diptheria, Tetanus, Pertussis DiaP DTaP DTaP Haemophis infuenzae type b Hib Hib Hib Inactivated Polio IPV IPV IPV IPV MMR MMR #2 Measles, Mumps, Rubella Varicella Pneumococcal DluP DiaP Td Varicella PY PCY PCY pee cee eee eee eee en: Vaccines helow this line are for selected populations #” Hepatitis A “ PPY Hepatitis A series Influenza Influenza {yearly) Shaded bars indicate range of acceptable ages for vaccination. These recommended ages should not be thought ofas absolute. Vaccine schedules are changed as new vaccines, combinations of current vaccines, andindications are licensed. This schedule is approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (www.cde.gov/nip/acip), the American Academy of Pediatrics (wwrw.cap.org), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (www.cafp.org). @ Students in the United States between the ages of four and six program, a fleet of mobile pediatric healthcare units that provide including the fourth dose of polio (IPV), the fifth dose of diphtheria, partnership with UNICEF to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus in developing countries; and an “Immunize for Healthy Lives” education program. For more information, please need at least three boosters, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) and the second dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). Additional immunizations may be needed between the ages of six and 18 to continue protecting against such diseasesas: hepatitis B, tetanus and diphtheria. Together, the AAP and RMHC haveidentified immunization education as a priority. RMHC initiatives in this area include: the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile cost effective immunizations; a refer to: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline (800) 232-2522 or www.cde.gov. American Academyof Pediatrics Web site at www.aap.org. Ronald McDonald House Charities Web site at www.rmhce. org.
