Health providers urge parents to make appointments before summer ends

Every year, parents need to make sure their children are up to date on their immunizations. Parents using the same immunization checklist as last year might find that their child can’t go to the first day of classes, because the immunization requirements have changed.

“The state has mandated certain age groups to receive additional immunizations of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV); Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap); and Varicella, also known as the chickenpox vaccine, in order to attend school this fall,” said Pediatrician Nor Ramli, M.D., of Aurora Health Care’s Marinette Menominee Clinic on University Drive

Immunization changes for the 2008-2009 school year include:

• Daycare-aged children must have two to three PCV doses, depending on their age.
• Children and teens in grades six, nine and 12 must have one dose of Tdap.
• Children five years old and entering kindergarten and those in sixth and twelfth grades must have two doses of the chicken pox vaccine or documented illness.

These requirements will be added for other grade levels in the next few years.

“Children who don’t get immunized are at risk of catching disease and may not be able to attend school or child care,” said Ramli. “A child who is not immunized is also a threat to others.”

Wisconsin has one of the highest rates of pertussis because the vaccination given five to 10 years ago loses its protection.

In addition to the Tdap vaccine, the chickenpox vaccine is also important.

“It has been proven that two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are better than getting one, so the state is requiring an extra dose,” explained Ramli.

She continued, “School districts and parents have been notified. This is a friendly reminder that there are only a few weeks left to get the immunizations before school starts.”

Parents with questions about vaccines can visit www.immunize.org/concerns to learn more.

To schedule an appointment with a physician at the Aurora Marinette Menominee Clinic, call (715) 735-3998.

Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin health care provider and a nationally recognized leader in efforts to improve the quality of health care. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 90 communities throughout eastern Wisconsin.

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Jen Strebel: (920-496-6369)