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PR-04/20/2004: National Immunization Week and Toddler Immunization Month

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2004 San Mateo County Health Services Agency Contact: Beverly Thames, (650) 573-3935   NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION WEEK AND TODDLER IMMUNIZATION MONTH FOCUS ON THE ALARMING RISE OF VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASE Number of Whooping Cough Cases on the Rise in California Redwood City, CA--Today, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution recognizing April 25-May 1 as National Infant Immunization Week and the month of May as Toddler Immunization Month to underscore the importance of childhood immunizations. In California, the number of whooping cough-or pertussis-cases are at the highest level in decades. Pertussis is a highly-contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that can cause severe coughing, vomiting, and brain damage in children. A recent study indicates that while California immunization rates for two year olds have improved to 71.4%, we still have a distance to go to reach the goal of 90% coverage by 2010. Overall immunization rates for two-year-olds in San Mateo County improved from 70.3% in 2001 to 75.6% in 2003, with most noticeable improvement in the Asian, African American and Hispanic populations. San Mateo County Public Health and the San Mateo Medical Center, which includes all clinics operated by the county, are planning an immunization registry to improve immunization rates among the Medical Center's, and eventually the entire county's, children. "Pertussis can be deadly, especially in babies," said Dr. Anand Chabra, Director of Maternal Child and Adolescent Health of San Mateo County Public Health. "We strongly urge all parents to obtain proper immunization for their children, and protect infants and toddlers from infection." In conjunction with the California statewide campaign, "Stop the Whooping Cough," San Mateo County Public Health will educate parents and childcare providers about the seriousness of childhood diseases that affect the lungs, most notably pertussis ("whooping cough"). On April 28, the media is invited to Head Start in East Palo Alto, where youngsters will sport lung costumes and participate in "lung activities." This Stop Whooping Cough! event will feature children enjoying activities that are possible only with healthy lungs; they will blow bubbles and toy whistles, and sing songs. Dr. Anand Chabra will provide insight into proper immunization schedules. Immunization information for parents will be distributed. # # #   IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS: Vaccine-preventable diseases are the cause of many unnecessary deaths among young children in the United States. Have your children immunized at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 15 months-of-age. Ask your doctor, "Are my child's immunizations up-to-date?" Even if you're sure, ask your doctor again! Call the San Mateo County Immunization Program for referrals in English and Spanish to a local immunization clinic: (650) 573-2877.