Child Immunization Survey

April 19, 2005

The Fairfax County Health Department is partnering with two local Cartoon Cuts hair salons to promote child immunization awareness in April. Parents who fill out a Health Department immunization survey will be entered into a drawing for a free Cartoon Cuts haircut for their child.

At Cartoon Cuts' Fair Oaks Mall location, the surveys can be filled out during the week of April 18. The drawing will be April 22. At Cartoon Cuts' Springfield Mall location, surveys can be taken the week of April 25, with the drawing on April 29. Four winners will be selected.

The survey includes questions such as: "Did you know that 15% of two-year olds in Fairfax County are not adequately immunized?" and "Did you know immunizations are due at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months 12 months and 15 months?" The Health Department's goal with the surveys is to remind parents to vaccinate their children on schedule, provide information on where parents can get their children vaccinated, and ultimately increase the number of children vaccinated in Fairfax County.

"The support we receive from Cartoon Cuts helps us to continue educating parents on the importance of vaccinating their children against childhood diseases. We truly appreciate this partnership, because ultimately it means more children in Fairfax County will be protected against serious illness and diseases," said Christine Carlock, immunization coordinator for the Fairfax County Health Department.

The Health Department offers immunizations (most are free of charge) to any child under age 18 at its five District Office clinics. In FY 2004, the agency vaccinated 22,660 children under age 18 against childhood diseases, delivering 52,395 shots, most of which were provided free-of-charge.

The federal government mandates that 90 percent of 2-year-olds have their primary shots completed. In Fairfax County, the child immunization compliance rate is 85 percent. The Health Department plays a key role in boosting immunization compliance rates in the county by evaluating day care facilities in the county and providing immunizations to children. Day care facilities that score below 88% compliance are contacted by the Health Department for additional education.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children should receive the full series of child immunizations by age 2. The recommended series includes:

4 doses of DTP (diphtheria, tetantus and pertussis)
1 dose of MMR (measles mumps rubella)
3 doses of HIB (haemophilus influenzae type B)
1 dose of varicella (chicken pox)
3 doses of polio vaccine
3 doses of hepatitis B

Additional activities during Child Immunization Month include a display at Lorton Library and George Mason Regional Library. Cartoon Cuts salons specialize in haircuts for children age 12 years and younger, with locations throughout Virginia, Maryland, Florida, Texas and Puerto Rico.