August - National Immunization Awareness Month
Vaccines have contributed to a significant reduction in many childhood diseases,
such as diptheria, polio, measles, mumps, and whooping cough. It is
rare for an American child to experience the devastating effects in the
United States. But the germs that cause these vaccine-preventable diseases
and death still exist, and can be passed on to people who are not protected
by vaccines. Getting immunized is a life-long, life-protecting job. The
Health Plan encourages our members to make sure that you and your children
have all the vaccinations you need to live a healthy life.
As part of The Health Plan’s commitment to member wellness, this fall we will be offering free flu and pneumonia vaccines to our Health Plan members. For the pneumonia vaccine only you will need a doctor’s prescription. Below are the dates and locations.
Bridgeport School
Saturday, October 18, 2008, 9am-2pm
Massillon Recreation Center
Saturday, October 25, 2008, 9am-2pm
Vaccines Work! CDC Statistics demonstrate dramatic declines in vaccine-preventable diseases when compared with the pre-vaccine era
| Disease | Pre-Vaccine Era Estimated Annual Morbidityˆ | Reported cases in 2005 | Percent Decrease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smallpox | 48,164 |
0ˆˆ |
100% |
| Diphtheria | 175,885 |
0ˆˆ |
100% |
| Measles | 503,282 |
66ˆˆ |
>99% |
| Mumps | 152,209 |
314ˆˆ |
>99% |
| Pertussis | 147,271 |
25,616ˆˆ |
83% |
| Polio (paralytic) | 16,316 |
1* |
>99% |
| Rubella | 47,745 |
11ˆˆ |
>99% |
| Congenital Rubella Syndrome | 823 |
1ˆˆ |
>99% |
| Tetanus | 1,314 |
27ˆˆ |
98% |
| Hib (invasive) | 20,000 |
226ˆˆ |
99% |
| * Imported vaccine-associated
paralytic polio ˆ CDC. MMWR, April 12, 1999; 48(12):243-248 ˆˆ CDC. MMWR, August 18, 2006; 55(32):880-893 |
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To find out more and download childhood and adult immunization schedules, click
on the link below:
Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention