TAIC

Bacterial Meningitis in nearby Oologah, Oklahoma

Tulsa Health Department Bacterial Meningitis Information Page link

CDC, State and Local officials are joining the school administration and staff in properly handling
this sad tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the victims.

From…The AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS (AAP) at:
http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/immunizations.cfm

· “Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for
preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also
help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases,
as well as reduce the costs associated with missed time from work, doctor visits, and
hospitalizations.
· Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical to protect
them through immunization. Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States
who will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
· Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare providers, and public health
officials must work together to help protect the entire community.
· Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children
against serious diseases. Parents are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider to
ensure that their infant is up-to-date on immunizations.
· Healthcare providers play a critical role in educating parents about the importance of
immunization and ensuring that infants are fully immunized.
· Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease in the United States, parents are
often unaware that their children are at risk for so many life-threatening diseases.
· Vaccine-preventable diseases are at an all-time low in the United States. However, these |
diseases still exist and continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential
outbreaks.
· Immunizations are extremely safe. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved for
public use and monitored carefully by doctors, researchers, and public health officials.”   -AAP

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GRANDPARENTS: PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR GRANDBABY FROM WHOOPING
COUGH…from the California Department of Health Services, Immunization Branch:

In 2008, 100 cases of Whooping Cough were reported in Oklahoma, a 72% increase from
2007. That’s only the cases that were reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Many more suffered from undiagnosed cases…and infants who are too young to be immunized
become especially ill and can be hospitalized or even die from this so-called “childhood disease.”

The elderly are also especially vulnerable from the complications of the disease. In 2008, there
were more than 13,000 reported cases in the United States including 18 deaths from Pertussis.

Cocooning is the term for surrounding the baby with family members who cannot expose the
baby to the disease. Everyone who is around the baby-Mom, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa, siblings and close family members—should have a Tdap booster  in order to protect the baby from this
vaccine-preventable disease. And, remember, it will also protect the family from what is called
the “100 day cough!”

TEENS should have a Tdap booster, and every 10 years, ADULTS should have a tetanus
immunization (Td) but if you have not yet had a Tdap booster as an adult, you can “trade out”
your next Td with a Tdap booster and then go back to having a tetanus (Td) immunization every 10 years afterwards to protect yourselves. For more information about whooping cough
(“Pertussis”), go to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm or
www.immunize.org .

Grandparents, check out this flyer! (click on link)
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/discond/Documents/grandparentsprotectyourselff
rompertussis.pdf

Improving Immunization Rates

In 2008, Oklahoma ranks 39th in the United States in terms of compliance with CDC recommendations for immunization rates for children by age 2. Education is the key to improving immunization rates and protecting our children against vaccine preventable diseases.

Oklahoma State Department of Health Guide to Oklahoma Immunization Requirements
2010-2011 English Translation

OK BY ONE
2010 OK BY ONE Technical Schedule

Why We Vaccinate?
OSDH Information Page

Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDS), a non-profit organization, has created eight videos that help explain why we vaccinate. View these videos at PKIDS On-Line. Also, go to http://www.pkids.org/ and click on the link http://www.pkids.org/fam_askexp.php look for "Ask The Expersts" and click on "Dr. Paul on Vaccines".

For some of the BEST immunization information on the Internet see:
http://www.PKids.org
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines
http://www.immunize.org
http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org
http://www.chop.edu

Mission Statement:

To act as a catalyst for achieving local, state, and national immunization goals.

Vision Statement:

Immunize everyone at the proper time for protection against vaccine-preventable diseases.