18 Jan 2002
Statewide Immunization Registry In Place To Reduce Need for Duplicate Immunizations
DALLAS—A recent report by the Texas Department of Health from a Center for Disease Control (CDC) survey showed that Texas ranks last in the nation for the immunization of children age three and under. A statistic that the Dallas Independent School District, with 164,000 students under its care, is not taking lightly.
With funds from a Texas Department of Health grant, the district's Health Services department launched Building Blocks of Childhood Immunizations program this school year. The program provides information to parents of preschool age children about the importance of protecting their children against childhood illnesses.
It is a big concern that many children have increased health risks from not being vaccinated on time. "Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of having children immunized before enrolling in school," said Lora Conwill, lead project nurse, Health Services. "Children need to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases and the best way to do this is for children to receive their vaccinations on schedule."
In addition to this program, the school district works in cooperation with the state to enter immunization records into a statewide registry that maintains this information, therefore decreasing the need for duplicate immunizations of children because of lost records.
"People move and documents get misplaced," said Conwill. "This is why it is important parents take advantage of the resources available to them, such as the registry. A service that is free and confidential."
Information matched with education are the two main weapons school nurses are using to increase the number of children who are vaccinated.
Nurses who are participating in the grant attend parent/teacher association meetings, visit youth and family centers and volunteer at school and community health fairs and activities—all places where they can meet parents and reinforce the importance of keeping children vaccinated.
In addition, they are training the participants in the district's Home Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters to share with families in their communities information about how vaccinations aid in the prevention of illness and disability. HIPPY participants provide information to the families in their neighborhood about free and low-cost immunization clinics available in the community.
-30-Recommended Immunization Schedule
Age Type of Immunization
Birth-1 month HBV
2 months DTaP, IPV, HBV, Hib, PCV7
4 months DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV7
6 months DTaP, IPV, HBV, Hib, PCV7
12-18 months DTaP, IPV**, MMR, Hib, V, PCV7
4-6 years DTaP, IPV, MMR
11-12 years Td, MMR**, V**, HBV series**
Every 10 years thereafter Td
** If not received at an earlier age.
DTaP Diphteria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis
HBV Hepatitis B
Hib Haemophilus Influenza Type b
MMR Measles, Mumps, Rubella combined
IPV Inactivated Polio Vaccine
PCV7 Pneumococcal Conjugate
Td Tetanus and Diphteria Toxoids (adult type)
V Varicella (Chicken Pox)