PRESS RELEASE

 From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein

Date July 26, 2017                              

CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925 

Vaccines Are Vital for Everyone

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

ERIE COUNTY, NY— Vaccination is a key public health priority; important because it not only protects the vaccinated person, but also prevents the spread of disease in the community. This is especially vital to those most vulnerable to serious complications: infants and young children, elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.

“Everyone, from infants on up to seniors, should have their vaccination needs assessed regularly by their healthcare provider or at their pharmacy,” said Erie County Commissioner of Health (“ECDOH”), Dr. Gale Burstein. “Certain vaccines are recommended based on a person’s age, occupation or health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (“COPD”), diabetes, heart disease or smoking status.

Parents can do a number of things to foster a healthy future for their child. Vaccines give parents the safe, proven power to protect their children from serious diseases. One of the most important actions parents can take is to make sure their children are up to date on their vaccines.

Babies receive vaccinations that protect them from 14 serious diseases by age 2. It is very important that babies receive all doses of each vaccine, as well as receive each vaccination on time. Following the recommended immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children’s health. If a child falls behind the recommended immunizations schedule, vaccines can still be given to “catch-up” the child before adolescence.

When children are not immunized, the results can be devastating. Each year, thousands of children in the United States become seriously ill with vaccine-preventable diseases. Short of basic sanitation and nutrition, no medical intervention has done more to save lives and prevent disease than immunizations.

“The positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants is a tremendous public health achievement,” stated Burstein. “If parents choose to immunize their children with an alternative schedule, they are essentially performing an experiment on their own children. Only recommended immunization schedules have been scientifically proven to be effective. Alternative schedules have not been studied.”

Preteens and teens should receive four vaccines to protect against serious diseases:

•           HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV

•           Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis)

•           Annual flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu

•       MCV4 (quadrivalent) meningococcal conjugate vaccine to protect against meningitis and   blood infections (septicemia)

Teens and young adults may also be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine.

HPV vaccine is important because it can prevent infections that can cause cancer later in life.

•           HPV is for 11-12 year old girls AND boys

•           Only 2 doses are required if vaccinated before age 15 years.

•           HPV vaccine is an “anti-cancer vaccine”

•           Only 60% of girls & 42% of boys have been vaccinated (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

•           HPV is linked to several cancers,  including cervical, oral, and anal 

Adults also need immunizations, especially into the senior years. All adults should receive appropriate vaccines to protect their health. Even healthy adults can become seriously ill and can spread certain illnesses on to others, including newborns.

Immunization is a shared responsibility. To learn more about the vaccines recommended for yourself and your family, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines, speak with your healthcare provider, or call the ECDOH Immunization Clinic (located at Jesse Nash Health Center, 608 William St., Buffalo 14206) at (716) 858-7687. For additional detailed information, please refer to the “Immunization Resources” flyer found attached to this press release. This flyer can also be found on our website through the link: http://www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=ecdoh-immunization-information

#  #  #

For More Information:

Erie County Department of Health

New York State Department of Health  

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

			Immunization Resources
Organization	Link to Web Site	Description
Erie County Department of Health Immunization Clinic	www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=vaccines-available-ecdoh#node-882	Jesse Nash Health Center 608 William St. Buffalo 14206  (716) 858-7687
Erie County Department of Health	www2.erie.gov/health/index.php?q=ecdoh-immunization-information	Immunization Action Plan (IAP)
New York State Department of Health	www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization/	Immunization Bureau-Buffalo Regional Office (716) 847-4501
American Academy of Pediatrics: Healthy Children.org	http://tinyurl.com/vaccinate-now	Information about vaccine safety, vaccination schedules & more.
Western New York Pediatric, Adolescent & Adult Coalition	http://tinyurl.com/WNYPAA-FB	Facebook Page with vaccination information.
Campaign to Immunize All New Yorkers	www.immuNYze.org	County Health Officials of New York (NYSACHO) Campaign to Immunize NY State Residents
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)	www.cdc.gov/vaccines	What vaccines does your child need?
US Department of Health & Human Services	www.vaccines.gov	Federal Gateway to information on vaccines & immunizations for all ages
Immunization Action Coalition	www.immunize.org	Website for Health Professionals
Immunization Action Coalition	www.vaccineinformation.org	Website for Patients, Parents, Providers & Media
Immunization Coalitions Network	www.immunizationcoalitions.org	Detailed vaccination information for Health Professionals, Public & Coalitions
National Foundation for Infectious Diseases	www.nfid.org	Information for Health Professionals, with specific information for Adults, Adolescents & Children
Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition	www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org	Information for Pediatricians, Health Professionals, Parents & Caregivers
Every Child by Two/ Vaccinate Your Family	www.ecbt.org	Information to Educate the Public; Advocates for policies that support  timely vaccination
Voices for Vaccines	www.voicesforvaccines.org	Parent-driven Organization Providing Parents Clear, Science-based Information about Vaccines
Nurses Who Vaccinate	www.nurseswhovaccinate.org	Promotes knowledge and competency in immunizations & works to position nurses as vaccine advocates.
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center	www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center	Provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals.
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP)	www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation	No-fault alternative to the traditional legal system for resolving vaccine injury petitions.
THRIVE Free App for mobile phones	www.unity4teenvax.org/resources/thrive-app/	Free app for parents of teens/young adults with interactive resource for managing teen health.