Parents Reminded to Immunize Children

LANCASTER – Antelope Valley Hospital officials reminded parents to immunize their children against diseases.

“Ensuring that children are properly vaccinated is imperative for disease control in our schools and in our community,” said Angela Teague, RNC, AD Pediatrics at Antelope Valley Hospital. “However, it’s not just a children’s issue – there are certain vaccines that adults should have as well. We’re working to spread awareness of the vaccines that people need not only in childhood, but over the course of a lifetime.”

Children are especially vulnerable to infection during the first five or six years of life. The American Academy of Pediatrics and Centers for Disease Control have recommended an immunization schedule that includes vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and polio.

Adolescents should be vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and meningococcal disease, as well as anything that was missed in earlier years, officials said.

The schedule is available at www.aap.org. Information on immunization for people of all ages is available at www.partnersforimmunization.org.

Suggested adult vaccines include flu and pneumonia shots, as well as tetanus and diphtheria boosters.

“There are few public health issues more important than immunization,” said Antelope Valley Hospital CEO Les Wong. “We want Valley residents to realize that there are many resources for obtaining the vaccines they need, from local physicians to our hospital to the Health Department. There is no reason for anyone to go unvaccinated.”