Be Local by staying up-to-date on vaccinations
With measles cases on the rise, health officials are increasing efforts to have the public vaccinated against infectious diseases.
That includes the state Department of Health, which recently issued a press release urging Pennsylvanians to get immunized against several serious illnesses that can be life threatening, including measles, hepatitis and whooping cough (pertussis).
Be Local means protecting area families and communities by having the recommended vaccinations regardless of age.
“It is essential that not only children are up-to-date on immunizations, but that adults are up-to-date on their immunizations as well,” Dr. Rachel Levine, state health secretary, noted in the press release. “Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself from a number of serious diseases. Getting your vaccinations can help protect others, such as those with compromised immune systems, who cannot get vaccinated.”
Nate Wardell, press secretary for the state Dept. of Health, noted, “The Pennsylvania vaccine rate is around 96 percent and that’s important because 95 percent is considered herd immunity. That’s when a community is vaccinated at a rate where those who can’t get vaccinated are protected. We strive for every part of Pennsylvania to have a rate above 95 percent.”
People who cannot be vaccinated, Wardell explained, would include a person whose immune system has been compromised.
Although Pennsylvania’s vaccination rate is good, measles outbreaks are appearing throughout the nation.
From Jan. 1 to March 14, the Centers for Disease Control report on its website that there have been 268 individual confirmed measles cases in 15 states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
Six outbreaks, defined as three or more cases, have been reported in New York, Washington, Texas, Illinois and California.
“These outbreaks are linked to travelers who brought measles back from other countries, such as Israel and Ukraine, where large measles outbreaks are occurring,” explained the CDC, stressing people should be vaccinated before traveling internationally and noting outbreaks can spread in communities with pockets of un-vaccinated people.
The CDC also announced mumps infections have been reported in 151 people from 30 states and the District of Columbia from Jan. 1 to Feb. 28.
The agency noted, “Before the U.S. mumps vaccination program started in 1967, about 186,000 cases were reported each year, but the actual number of cases was likely much higher due to under-reporting. Since the two-MMR dose vaccination program was introduced in 1989, U.S. mumps cases decreased more than 99 percent, with only a few hundred cases reported most years. However, since 2006, there have been several increases in cases and outbreaks about every five years.”
A case receiving a lot of attention recently involved an un-vaccinated Oregon child, who nearly died from tetanus in 2017. The CDC reported the six-year-old boy developed the disease after he cut his head while playing on the family farm. Hospitalized in intensive care, his two-month treatment cost more than $800,000. Despite doctor’s recommendations, his family refused further immunizations.
“It’s certainly a hot topic,” said Wardell, about these reports. “There are no measles cases in Pennsylvania, but there have been some mumps cases over last several weeks in southeastern Pennsylvania.”
So while Pennsylvanians appear to support immunizations, the state is doing its part to remind them about their importance.
The state Dept. of Health noted in its press release the provisional period in which students could attend school without vaccinations was reduced in 2017 from eight months to five days.
Vaccines are also recommended for adults to prevent serious diseases, such as hepatitis, influenza (flu), pneumonia, shingles and whooping cough. The health department explained vaccine recommendations are based on age, lifestyle, medical conditions, occupation, past vaccinations and travel destinations.
While the flu vaccine is offered during flu season, other vaccines are available year round.
Wardall recommends people check with their doctors and schools to see what vaccinations are required. Information on recommended vaccines for children and adults is also available by doing a search for “immunization schedules” at at health.pa.gov.
The state Dept. of Health offers immunization clinics year-round across the state, explaining in the press release, “Any child or adult who does not have insurance coverage or their insurance does not cover the necessary vaccinations and meets requirements, can get their vaccines at one of the state health centers or local health departments.”
Anyone looking to visit a local immunization clinic for vaccinations should call 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) to schedule an appointment. Pennsylvanians should have their vaccination records. A parent or legal guardian must accompany a child receiving vaccinations.
As Levine noted, “Immunizations provide protection that is needed by both children and adults to help them stay as healthy as possible.”
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 32 Church St., Waynesburg.