Flu Clinics

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Why Immunize?
For Parents

At a glance: Why immunize our children? Sometimes we are confused by the messages in the media. First we are assured that, thanks to vaccines, some diseases are almost gone from the U.S. But we are also warned to immunize our children, ourselves as adults, and the elderly.

Immunization Clinics

Diseases are becoming rare due to vaccinations.
It's true, some diseases (like polio and diphtheria) are becoming very rare in the U.S. Of course, they are becoming rare largely because we have been vaccinating against them. But it is still reasonable to ask whether it's really worthwhile to keep vaccinating.

It's much like bailing out a boat with a slow leak. When we started bailing, the boat was filled with water. But we have been bailing fast and hard, and now it is almost dry. We could say, "Good. The boat is dry now, so we can throw away the bucket and relax." But the leak hasn't stopped. Before long we'd notice a little water seeping in, and soon it might be back up to the same level as when we started.

Keep immunizing until disease is eliminated.
Unless we can "stop the leak" (eliminate the disease), it is important to keep immunizing. Even if there are only a few cases of disease today, if we take away the protection given by vaccination, more and more people will be infected and will spread disease to others. Soon we will undo the progress we have made over the years.

Japan reduced pertussis vaccinations, and an epidemic occurred.
In 1974, Japan had a successful pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination program, with nearly 80% of Japanese children vaccinated. That year only 393 cases of pertussis were reported in the entire country, and there were no deaths from pertussis. But then rumors began to spread that pertussis vaccination was no longer needed and that the vaccine was not safe, and by 1976 only 10% of infants were getting vaccinated. In 1979 Japan suffered a major pertussis epidemic, with more than 13,000 cases of whooping cough and 41 deaths. In 1981 the government began vaccinating with acellular pertussis vaccine, and the number of pertussis cases dropped again.

What if we stopped vaccinating?
So what would happen if we stopped vaccinating here? Diseases that are almost unknown would stage a comeback. Before long we would see epidemics of diseases that are nearly under control today. More children would get sick and more would die.

We vaccinate to protect our future.
We don't vaccinate just to protect our children. We also vaccinate to protect our grandchildren and their grandchildren. With one disease, smallpox, we "stopped the leak" in the boat by eradicating the disease. Our children don't have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists. If we keep vaccinating now, parents in the future may be able to trust that diseases like polio and meningitis won't infect, cripple, or kill children. Vaccinations are one of the best ways to put an end to the serious effects of certain diseases.

Local Services
Ontario County Public Health offers immunizations for both children and adults. All clinics are by appointment only. Call (585)396-4343 or 1-800-299-2995 for an appointment.

Vaccinations available are listed below:

New Immunization Requirement for Students who are Entering 6th Grade and/or who are 11 Years Old In order to decrease illness and death caused by pertussis, New York State has changed its immunization requirements for school entry to include the Tdap vaccine for all children who are 11 years old and who are entering 6th grade. Read more about this new school requirement.

Click on the individual vaccinations to get a printable information sheet about that vaccination.

Chicken Pox	Tetanus/Pertussis/Diphtheria
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B	Polio
HIB	Pneumonia (children< 5yo)
Influenza	Pneumonia (adults> 65 yo)
Measles/Mumps/Rubella	Shingles Immunization (adults> 60 yo)
Meningitis (children < 19 yo)

Please visit http://www.immunize.org/vis/ for detailed information on these vaccinations and for information in different languages.

More information about MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

Vaccination Schedules

For the most up to date vaccination schedules go to: http://www.immunize.org/cdc/schedules

Visit the Immunization Action Coalition website to see another Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization including recommendations as to who should receive the vaccine.

Travel
Due to the specific and often changing needs of travelers, this office does not offer travel vaccinations.

For up-to-date information regarding travel vaccination needs, see the following site: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm

For further information or to schedule a vaccination, please call Passport Health 1-888-499-7277.

Ontario County Public Health
3019 County Complex Dr.
Canandaigua, NY 14424
800-299-2995 or 585-396-4343

Immunization Clinics (appointments are necessary)

Please call 585-396-4343 or 1-800-299-2995 for an appointment.
Clinics are held at the following locations:

Canandaigua
3019 County Complex Dr.
Canandaigua, NY 14424

For information about specific immunizations see chart below.

Chicken Pox

Hepatitis B

Influenza

Pneumococcal

HPV

Chicken Pox (Varicella)

There is a new law which requires that all children who will be entering sixth grade in any school in New York State be vaccinated against Chicken pox. It is now necessary to immunize all children, including those born before January 1, 1994. This law took effect on January 1, 2005 and is for the school year of 2005-2006 and after.

Hepatitis B

There is a law which requires that all children who will be entering seventh grade in any school in New York State be vaccinated against Hepatitis B. This had formerly been just a requirement for children born on or after January 1, 1993 who were entering kindergarten; now it is necessary to immunize all children, including those born before January 1, 1993.

The Hepatitis B vaccination consists of a series of three immunizations. We encourage all parents to seek care for their children from their primary care providers. However, if there are children who need assistance to obtain the series, the Ontario County Public Health Immunization Clinic is available by appointment.

Available times for Childhood and adult immunization clinics for 2005. If you need immunizations for Travel Please Call Passport Health at 1-888-499-7277 or visit their website.

Influenza

Flu shots are available through the Ontario County Public Health. See the Flu Shot Clinic Schedule for 2009.

You can also search the listings in this season's New York State directory of local vaccination clinics for one being held near you.

Pneumococcal Vaccine - This important vaccine is available from your primary care physician.

A single dose of the pneumococcal vaccine protects against the 23 different types of Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that are responsible for causing greater than 90% of all pneumococcal disease cases.

If you are unable to get the flu shot, the pneumovax shot will protect you against the complications of the flu.

New Vaccine Prevents Cervical Cancer!

A virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) causes cervical cancer. It affects approximately 20 million people in the United States at some time in their lives – but they may never know it. This virus lives in the skin of the genital organs in both men and women. Sometimes it causes genital warts that are visible on the skin, but many show no symptoms. By age 50, over 80% of women will have been infected at least once in their lives. A new vaccine has been developed that prevents infection with some of the more serious strains of this virus.

Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

The Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) was established to ensure an adequate supply of vaccines, stabilize vaccine costs, and establish and maintain an accessible and efficient forum for individuals found to be injured by certain vaccines. For more information on the VICP go to http://www.hrsa.gov/Vaccinecompensation/

For further information please contact us by email.