Nassau County Health Commissioner Dr. Lawrence Eisenstein reminds parents that updating their children’s vaccinations should be added to their back-to-school list. Vaccines offer the best known protection against many life-threatening and debilitating diseases.
In addition to the state-required immunizations for day care settings, schools and health care providers, the following are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: influenza, rotavirus, hepatitis A and human papilloma virus vaccines.
“Nassau County continues to see cases of vaccine-preventable diseases, including mumps and pertussis,” added Eisenstein. “Protecting our children from preventable diseases will keep them healthy and in school. Vaccines are recommended throughout our lives and are a proven and successful public health tool in protecting society from many of these serious diseases.”
Vaccines are recommended for infants, children, teenagers and adults based on many different factors including age, health conditions, lifestyles, occupation and travel. Vaccination is a critical step in protecting those who are most vulnerable to illness—infants and young children, the elderly and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.
Visit the New York State Department of Health website at www.health.ny.gov/prevention/immunization or contact the Nassau County Department of Health Immunization Hotline weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at 516-227-9416 for more information about immunizations.
