|
Galveston County Health District
Printed in Gulf Coast E-news
July 26, 2005 The Galveston County Health District,
in observance of National Immunization Awareness Month in August, has issued a
news release urging parents to ensure that their children’s immunizations are up
to date.
“Annual Health District surveys show that the number of Galveston County
children up-to-date with school-required vaccinations have consistently
increased over the past several years,” said Susan Studebaker, director of
Community Health Programs at the District. “Efforts toward meeting a goal of
having 90 percent of Galveston County children fully immunized will be enhanced
by the activities of the Immunization Advisory Council and activities such as
Kids Health Fest.”Dr. Mark Guidry, Galveston County Health Authority, announced plans for the
third annual "Kids Health Fest" that will provide an opportunity for parents to
bring their children to receive back-to-school immunizations. “Vaccines work,” Guidry said. “They are one of the great public health
achievements of the last century. Vaccines protect both individuals and
communities from preventable and potentially devastating infectious diseases.”
Vaccinations will be available in La Marque at 1207 Oak Street August 1
through August 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Immunization clinic operations
in Texas City and Dickinson will be relocated to this location during the event.
There will be costumed characters, coloring contests, and door prizes each day.
“Getting shots is never a pleasant experience for parents or children,” said
June Gonzales, RN and Manager of the Immunization Program. “We are trying to
make this experience as exciting as possible using incentives and entertainment
for the kids.”Vaccinations may also be obtained at the Galveston Immunization
Clinic in the Island Community Center, 4700 Broadway, on Mondays from 8:30 to
11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. The clinic is also open on Wednesdays from 10
a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 to 7 p.m.
A new law effective September 1 requires that children attending
child-care centers and enrolled in early childhood programs be vaccinated
against invasive pneumococcal and hepatitis A diseases. The law has also
expanded requirements for hepatitis B and varicella immunizations. Students in
kindergarten through 11th grade must have received a hepatitis B
vaccine.
The Coastal Area Health Education Center, Galveston Housing Authority,
Mainland Medical Center, Amerigroup, and UTMB will
assist in the Kids Health Fest.
For more information on Kids Health Fest 2005 call (409) 938-2244.
Read the Press Release
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org
|
