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- Immunization Legislation
- Survey Update
- Immunization Awareness Activities
The Health Department's Immunization Program
conducts on-site reviews of immunization records at approximately
100 facilities in the county, such as daycare centers, private/public schools
and preschools to improve the immunization compliance rate.
The program also
provides educational resources to community groups, and works
with child-oriented business partners. The Health Department offers immunizations
to any child under age 18 at its five district office clinics.
In FY 2005,
the agency vaccinated 20,592 children under age 18 against
childhood diseases, delivering 32,644 shots, most of which were provided
free of charge.
–Human papillomavirus
vaccine. On 2/24/2007, the state legislature voted to require
females to receive 3 properly spaced doses of HPV, the first
dose to be administered before a child enters sixth grade.
Parents will be permitted to opt their child out of receiving
this vaccine. Additional information about
HPV is available on the
Health Department's site.
-Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids
and acellular pertussis vaccine is required for all students
entering grade six who have not received a dose of TD (tetanus
toxoid) within the past 5 years. Additional information about
Tdap is available on
the Health Department's site.
Legislation effective July 1, 2001 for school Entry
. Additional information about
Hepatitis B is available on the Health Department's site.
The recent County Immunization audit indicates that 20% of
two year olds in Fairfax County are inadequately or inappropriately
immunized against preventable childhood diseases. The most
common vaccine missed is the fourth dose of DtaP (diphtheria,
tetanus, acellular pertussis ) due between 15 and 18 months
of age. The second vaccine likely to be missed is the MMR vaccine
(measles, mumps, rubella) due after the child's first birthday.
The Immunization Project presents the "It's Wise to Immunize " puppet
show at Fairfax County Public Libraries. This program
is designed for mothers and their infants, toddlers and preschoolers
to learn about the importance of immunizing and to soothe some
of the children's fears of getting a shot. If you belong to
a mother's group or deal with toddlers and their parents in
a group setting and are interested in the immunization puppet
show at your organization in Fairfax County call 703- 246-8648.
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