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Parents urged to schedule back-to-school immunization shots
Posted: 8/20/2010 2:46:18 PM
From the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical Society of Milwaukee County
The Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical Society of
Milwaukee County - together representing nearly 5,000 physicians statewide - are urging parents throughout
Wisconsin to get their children in early to see their family doctor for their annual back-to-school
immunization shots. Acting early will help parents avoid longer wait times as school start dates grow closer,
and may also help prevent any potential early outbreaks of disease already being experienced in other parts
of the U.S. and abroad, according to the organizations.
“Vaccinations are the best way for moms and dads to protect the health of not only their children, but
also the community as a whole,” said Dr. Corazon Loteyro, president of the Wisconsin Academy of Family
Physicians. “We, as doctors, are hoping that everyone comes in early this year to have their child’s
vaccinations updated. August is also National Immunization Awareness Month and a good time to remind
newer parents it is recommended a majority of immunizations actually begin taking place while a child is in
infancy. Health care providers around the state will work with parents to ensure their children are adequately
protected regardless of age and are school-ready.”
Last year in Wisconsin there were 269 cases of whooping cough reported that could have been
prevented, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. California is currently dealing with
the largest outbreak of whooping cough in 50 years with 1,500 confirmed cases and six infants who have
already died. A measles outbreak earlier this year in Canada sickened nearly 20 unvaccinated people and in
June, around 700 individuals contracted the disease in Africa.
“Vaccines can and do prevent these types of illnesses that can turn deadly,” Dr. Loteyro said. “We
need to make sure parents here in Wisconsin get this message as early as possible.”
Wisconsin law requires that schoolchildren receive a standard immunization series of shots to prevent
against polio, diphtheria, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), tetanus, influenza
and pertussis (whooping cough). In 2008, Wisconsin reported a vaccination rate of 79.6 percent.
Exemptions are allowed for religious or philosophical beliefs. The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have set a public health standard
rate of 90 percent in 2010.
“Wisconsin can and should do better when it comes to immunization rates,” said Dr. George Morris,
president of the Medical Society of Milwaukee County. “Family physicians and pediatricians provide more
than 80 percent of immunizations nationwide and know it is critical that parents begin to protect their
children as early as possible. It is also never too late to get up to date on vaccinations. Immunizations have
become a routine part of healthcare and have eliminated many diseases that have killed or severely disabled
people.”
The World Health Organization, UNICEF and the World Bank report indicates each year 3 million
lives are saved worldwide through childhood immunizations, including 33,000 in the U.S. alone.
For more information on immunization requirements, parents can contact their local family doctor,
county health department or visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website at
www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/index.htm. While most insurance providers cover child
immunizations, the CDC provides a Vaccines for Children program that also covers the cost and more
information can be found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/default.htm.