Series of Events Observe National Immunization Week

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services is observing National Immunization Week, April 13 through 19, with a weeklong series of events stressing the importance of childhood immunizations.

The department’s Immunization Bureau and the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People visited Third Ward neighborhoods April 11 to “block walk” with information about protection offered by childhood vaccines. In addition, the department offered free immunizations April 12 at Northline Mall during a children’s fair organized by Houston City Council Member Gabriel Vasquez.

It is recommended that children receive 80 percent of their lifetime vaccinations by age 2, ensuring protection against potentially deadly diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, H. influenza type B, varicella (chicken pox) and hepatitis B.

On April 14 the department recognized private medical providers and public health clinics that exceeded a 90 percent rate of up-to-date immunizations among children in their patient caseloads. Honorees were Jan Drutz, M.D., Residents Primary Care Group at Texas Children’s Hospital; Fernando Isart, M.D., Kid’s N Teen’s Clinic; Margaret Payne, M.D., Payne Pediatrics; and the department’s West End Health Center.

The department will unveil its 2003 Immunization Comprehensive Plan to the Greater Houston Alliance for Healthy Communities April 15 and host an appreciation breakfast for all medical providers in the Vaccines for Children program April 16 at the Wortham Center.

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services will participate in a news conference April 17 to highlight the milestones achieved by the Houston Harris County Immunization Registry and announce the 5-millionth entry. The Internet-based registry serves as a confidential central storage space containing immunization information on all vaccinated children in the Houston area.

For more information about the activities or immunizations, call (713) 794-9267.

– Porfirio Villarreal

E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu
URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/04_15_03/page_26.html