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October 6 – 19, 2012
Vaccines from page 1
are too young to be vaccinated, say physicians. “Complications of pertussis include pneumonia, seizures, middle ear infection, dehydration, encephalopathy, brain damage and death,” explains Dr. Nilam Khurana of Healing Hearts Pediatrics in Chandler. Though many antibiotics are used to treat whooping cough and prevent it from spreading, reducing the symptoms is much more difficult. Children with whooping cough will still continue to cough severely, sometimes until they vomit or cannot breathe. And, while patients can take antibiotics if doctors suspect whooping cough, they likely aren’t aware they may have the illness until symptoms appear. There is now a vaccine for teenagers and adults that can help the immune system “remember” how to fight off whooping cough, thus reducing the risk of passing the disease to infants and children who are too young to be immunized. However, many parents are wary of vaccines. “I do think we have seen an increase in exceptions to vaccines,” says Anderson. “We’re doing studies right now to see how widespread that is.” Though the popular 1998 British Medical Journal study implying a link between vaccines and autism has since been largely dismissed and its author, Dr. Andrew Wakefield, found to falsify his reports, the damage caused to public trust is still felt 14 years later, according to the Journal’s editorial staff. Despite the fact that vaccines are tested extensively, some parents are still hesitant to permit them for their children or themselves. While Higley Elementary reported lower immunization rates than other schools, Anderson says it is unclear whether the lower rates were responsible for the mumps outbreak, though it is plausible that the rate helped the illness take hold.
Community However, Anderson is confident the drop in immunization rates throughout Maricopa County has likely contributed to the outbreak of whooping cough.
www.SanTanSun.com
Free, low-cost shots for kids, adults Free immunization clinics for children and low-cost immunizations for adults are available in a variety of locations Oct. 6 through 24, sponsored by Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert Medical Centers’ Community Outreach Immunization Program in collaboration with Arizona’s Vaccine for Children Program. All immunizations for children are free, regardless of insurance status, according to Dignity Health, which owns the two medical centers. This includes children younger than age 19 who are covered by private insurance, AHCCCS, those who do not have insurance or those whose insurance does not cover immunizations, or are American Indian or Native Alaskan. A child’s immunization record and any letters from their school should be brought to the location so staff can determine which immunizations need to be given.
Dates, locations
Dr. Sonal Shah of Sunrise Pediatrics STSN photo
For now, medical professionals are urging parents to wash regularly, avoid coughing near others, to vaccinate their children and get booster shots. “It is a very good idea for adults who spend time with young children to get vaccinated against whooping cough,” says Dr. Sonal Shah of Sunrise Pediatrics. “What is a mild illness in adults can cause life-threatening whooping cough in young infants.” Cody Matera of Pecos Ranch is an intern with the SanTan Sun News and student at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.tening whooping cough in young infants.”
Sat., Oct. 6, 9-11 a.m., Chandler Regional Medical Center, Morrison Building, 1875 W. Frye Rd., Chandler Tue., Oct. 9, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Mesa Fire Station 217, Community Room, 10434 E. Baseline Rd., Mesa Wed., Oct. 10, 9-11 a.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, flu shots only, 20615 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek Tue., Oct. 16, 3-5 p.m., Chandler Fashion Center, 2nd floor Community Room, 3111 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler Wed., Oct. 17, 2-4:30 p.m., Gateway Pointe Elementary School, 2069 E. De La Torre Dr., Gilbert For a complete list of pediatric, adolescent and adult immunizations offered and to learn more, visit www.ChandlerRegional.org or www.MercyGilbert.org.
What do you think?
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? Are immunizations overused or good protection? Send your responses to Letters@SanTanSun.com and include your community name for possible inclusion in a future issue of the SanTan Sun News.