With Measles Cases on the Rise, County Urges Vaccinations for Children

The first four months of 2014 has seen the most number of measles cases reported nationwide in nearly two decades over the same four-month time frame, according to published reports. 

Of the 129 measles cases reported this year in 13 states, 26 of them have been in New York City, and with that in mind, Suffolk County officials are urging parents to make sure that their children are up-to-date on immunizations.

“Providing babies with the recommended immunizations by age two is the best way to protect them from potentially life-threatening diseases,” said Dr. James Tomarken, the county's commissioner of health services. “Currently, the United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history, so there is every reason to obtain immunizations on time according to the recommended schedule.”

In observance National Infant Immunization Week (April 26 through May 3), Tomarken offered the following five important reasons why immunizations should be a top priority for parents:

1. Immunizations can save children… from 14 vaccine preventable diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza type B, varicella (chickenpox), pneumococcal disease, rotavirus and influenza.
2. Immunizations are safe and effective … and given to children only after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals.
3. Immunization protects others … from getting preventable diseases. Babies who are too young to be fully immunized, immune-compromised individuals, pregnant women and older adults, are among those who are particularly vulnerable to disease. To help keep them safe, be sure that you and your children are fully immunized. 
4. Immunization saves time and money. Vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, immunization is a good investment and usually covered by insurance.
5. Immunization protects future generations. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago. If we continue vaccinating now, and vaccinating completely, parents in the future may be able to trust that it is possible some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm their children in the future.

Families are encouraged to check with their doctors to make sure every child's immunizations are up to date. Parents who have questions about immunization may call Suffolk County’s Shots for Tots Hotline, 631-854-0222, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The Department of Health Services offers the MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) immunization to college students, as mandated by NYSDOH. Call the SCDHS Office of Public Health, 631-854-0333, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. for dates, times and locations.