Send Your Child Back to School Protected from Serious Diseases; National Immunization Awareness Month is a Reminder that We All Need Vaccines throughout Our Lives

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MEDIA RELEASE

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

August 6, 2015

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

Phone: (716) 858-4941 / Mobile: (716)253-3925

                       Send Your Child Back to School Protected from Serious Diseases

National Immunization Awareness Month is a Reminder that

We All Need Vaccines throughout Our Lives

ERIE COUNTY, NY — Back-to-school season is almost upon us. It’s time for parents to gather school supplies and back packs. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines. To celebrate the importance of immunizations for people of all ages – and ensure adolescents are protected with all the vaccines they need – the Erie County Department of Health (“ECDOH”) is joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month.

Preteen Vaccine Banner

“Ensuring that your children receive all of the CDC-recommended vaccines on time is one of the most important things parents can do to realize their healthy future,” said Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein.  “If you have not done so already, now is the time to check with your doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs.”

Adolescent vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including meningitis, septicemia and cancers caused by HPV. When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread these diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.

Preteens and teens need Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine, meningococcal vaccine, and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine when they are 11 to 12 years old. In addition, yearly flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months or older—not just preteens and teens, but for their parents too. Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens20, or by calling the ECDOH’s Immunization Action Plan at 716-858-2373. 

2015 Table Childhood Vaccines

For more information:         

Erie County Department of Health

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

New York State Department of Health