SPRINGFIELD – Immunizations are one of the top 10
public health accomplishments of the 20th Century according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During August, National
Immunization Awareness Month, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr.
LaMar Hasbrouck encourages people to speak with their health care provider, not
only about vaccines needed for children, but for adults as well.
“Vaccines are an important step in protecting against
serious, and sometimes deadly, diseases,” said Dr. Hasbrouck. “Vaccines
are recommended throughout our lives. They are proven to protect children
from 14 serious diseases before they turn two years old, adolescents from cancer
caused by certain types of HPV, young adults from meningitis, people of all
ages from flu, and aging populations from various illnesses.”
Each week during National Immunization Awareness Month, IDPH
will highlight vaccinations for a different population on Facebook at IDPH.Illinois.
While
immunizations have significantly reduced the incidence of many serious
infectious diseases, vaccination rates for some diseases are not meeting
national public health goals. However, Illinois is making strides in
increasing vaccination coverage. Illinois is one of only five states that
showed a significant increase (12 percent) in one or more doses of HPV (human
papillomavirus) vaccine coverage in girls from 2012 to 2013, and one of only
four states with a significant increase (almost 13 percent) in three or more
doses of HPV vaccine. Illinois has undertaken several initiatives that
have contributed to increased HPV vaccination coverage, such as working with
health care partners to discuss and facilitate HPV vaccination health promotion
activities and interventions, providing physician HPV vaccination training, and
conducting provider assessment and feedback visits focused on increasing
vaccination coverage.
To
help prevent illness and outbreaks due to vaccine-preventable diseases,
Illinois is implementing new immunization requirements for the 2014-2015 school
year. Beginning this year, children entering school at any grade level
(kindergarten through 12) need to show proof of having received two
doses each (instead of just one) of rubella and mumps vaccines. In
addition, any child entering kindergarten, sixth grade or ninth grade for the
first time shall show proof of having received two doses of
varicella (chicken pox) vaccine.
For
the following school year, 2015-2016, students will need to show proof of
having received a meningococcal vaccination, something that is currently not
required.
For
school entrance, students must show proof of diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus,
polio, measles, mumps, rubella, haemophilus influenza type b, hepatitis b,
varicella and pneumococcal (depending on age) vaccinations. More
information about immunizations, including vaccination schedules,
visit www.idph.state.il.us/about/shots.htm.
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IDPH
continues to implement its Five
Year Strategy 2014-2018 to maximize IDPH’s effectiveness, influence and
value for promoting wellness, health equity, safety and improved health
outcomes. Strategic plan priorities include developing and expanding
partnerships; improving data utilization; reducing health disparities;
improving regulatory compliance; and branding, marketing and communicating
IDPH’s value.
Melaney
Arnold
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois Department of Public Health
Communications
Manager
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
(217) 558-0500
melaney.arnold@illinois.gov
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/IDPH.Illinois
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDPH
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