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For Immediate Release
For More Information/GAPA Speaker´s Bureau
Carmel Hearn, O'Neill Communications
carmel@oneillcommunications.com
770.578.9765
Put Immunization on Your Back-to-School Checklist
Atlanta, Ga. (July 29, 2008)--- The school year is almost here, but will your child be ready? Besides shopping for supplies, your back-to-school checklist should include making sure your child has an up-to-date health record.
According to the health experts at the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR), immunizations are one of the most important public health resources that are cost-effective and help children fight vaccine preventable diseases. Every child entering into the Georgia school system (Kindergarten- 12th grade), attending child care facilities or a new student of any age entering a Georgia school for the first time is required by law to have a Georgia Certificate of Immunization, Form 3231.
As the new school year approaches, the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) wants to remind you about these important school immunization rules and regulations.
"We want to help make it easier for parents to know which vaccines are required for enrollment in schools" says Devon Jackoniski PA-C, Public Education Chair for GAPA.
The rules of DHR public health require the following immunizations of children as a prerequisite to admission to schools and other facilities:
- Diphtheria: a bacterium that can cause a severe throat infection that can inhibit breathing and swallowing or cause heart failure and poison the body
- Pertussis (whooping cough): a bacterium that causes coughing spells and can lead to pneumonia, seizures or a coma
- Tetanus (lockjaw): a bacterium that can cause muscle spasms and make it hard to swallow or breathe
- Poliomyelitis: a virus that can cause weakened muscles and paralyze people
- Measles: a highly contagious virus that can cause fevers, rash, and lead to ear infections, pneumonia and even swelling of the brain
- Mumps: a virus that can cause swelling around the cheeks and jaws, hearing loss or meningitis
- Rubella (German measles): a virus that can cause severe harm early in pregnancy to unborn babies
- Pneumococcal: can cause pneumonia, infection of the blood and meningitis. Not required for children on or after their fifth birthday
- Varicella (chicken pox): a virus that causes extreme itching and blisters and can lead to skin infections and pneumonia in some cases
- Haemophilus influenzae type B: a bacterium that causes throat and joint infections, meningitis and hearing loss. This vaccine is very successful in prevention of the disease in children. Not required for children on or after their fifth birthday
- Hepatitis A and B: viruses that can cause liver damage and is contagious
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Make note that the most recent additions to the requirements were recommended by the CDC´s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in March 2007 and are as follows:
- There are two new vaccines required for children five years of age or less that were born on or after January 1, 2006, attending childcare facilities, Head Start or any pre-kindergarten program. Each child must show evidence of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) and the Hepatitis A vaccine or serologic proof of immunity.
- There are additional dose requirements to existing vaccine requirements for all children entering kindergarten, sixth grade, or new students regardless of the grade (K-12). Two doses of the measles and the mumps and one dose of rubella or laboratory proof of immunity against these is required. Also two doses of varicella (chicken pox) is required or a healthcare provider documentation of disease history or proof of serologic immunity.
Once the Certificate of Immunization is declared "Complete for School Attendance,"" no other forms are needed if a child receives additional shots. This form (3231) is only a requirement for the first time a child attends a school in Georgia, no matter age or grade level.
"It may sound like a confusing process, but you may obtain access to the different vaccines at your healthcare provider´s office, whether public or private, or through any public health clinic," says Jackoniski.
Most private health insurance programs cover the cost of vaccinations, and the state-funded Vaccine for Children Program supplies vaccines to those with no insurance coverage.
"We want to help parents become aware that immunizations are important and not just school requirements," Jackoniski adds. "Continual governmental research indicates that vaccines play a pivotal role in a child´s overall health and protects from preventable diseases that could be extremely harmful."
You can learn more about immunizations by talking with your healthcare provider, or visit www.health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization. There you can find links to forms, instructions, requirements, immunization exceptions, recommended immunization schedules and more health care and immunization resources.
It is the mission of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants to promote high quality, cost-effective, accessible health care as part of a physician-directed PA/physician team in Georgia. To learn more health tips or how physician assistants make health care more affordable and accessible in Georgia, please visit www.GAPA.net and click on "Patients."
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