Public health officials encourage preteen vaccinations

Feb. 23-- Feb. 23--ALBANY -- Officials with the Southwest Public Health District said vaccinating children helps ensure they have a healthy tomorrow.

The district is joining the Georgia Department of Public Health in recognizing March 11-15 as Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week. The designated week is meant to serve as a reminder for parents to talk with their preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.

"Every parent wants to protect their child from danger, yet many times parents don't see vaccination as a priority," Southwest Public Health District Director Dr. Charles Ruis said. "Vaccinating your child is the single best way to protect them from these preventable diseases, so we urge parents to make this a priority."

The Georgia DPH Rule (511-2-2) said the following students are required to have proof of vaccinations protecting them against meningitis and pertussis:

-- All students born on or after Jan. 1, 2002;

-- Students entering or transferring into seventh grade;

-- Any "new entrant" into eighth-12th grades in Georgia.

This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to, charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings except for homeschool.

Ruis said vaccines are the best defense against serious, preventable and sometimes deadly contagious diseases. He said they help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like flu and meningitis, while also reducing absences both at school and after-school activities and decreasing the spread of illness at home, school and in the community.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends human papillomavirus vaccine for preteens and teens. The HPV vaccine is effective in preventing certain cancers as well as venereal warts.

"Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness through schools, health care providers and the media regarding preteen immunizations, particularly Georgia's pertussis and meningococcal requirements for incoming seventh-grade students," Ruis said. "Speak with your health department or health care provider today to find out if your preteen is up to date."

For more information about preteen and teen immunizations, individuals can contact their county health department or health care provider.

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