MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
JEFFERSON CITY _ Missouri's child immunization rate is the second worst in the country, according to a survey by the Centers for Disease Control.
Only 64 percent of Missouri children are fully vaccinated, compared to about 75 percent nationwide. A Missouri Health Department official said she was disappointed, but not surprised, by the results of the survey.
"We're hoping to use this as a place to jump off and get some community involvement and improve our rates," said Paula Rosenberg, a public health adviser with the Bureau of Immunization.
Rosenberg said access problems and money are two reasons why children don't get immunized. Full immunization costs about $270, plus about $15 per needle, and the cost of five office visits.
She said doctors often refer patients who can't afford immunization to public clinics, where the procedure is free. However, the clinics are overloaded, so patients often wait for hours. This requires taking time off work, which lower income parents are not always able to do.
Another problem is education.
"The thing we try to get across to parents is they need five visits by age two," said Rosenberg.
Rosenberg said the immunization schedule has changed five times in the last seven years. Most recently, a chicken pox vaccine was added in March.
"Doctors need to take the time to look over a child's immunization record whenever they've got them in the office. Unless they're really sick, they can go ahead and give them their shots," said Rosenberg.
A program started in June called Vaccines for Children provides public immunizations in private doctors' offices at about 500 sites around the state. Children who are either uninsured, on Medicaid, Native American, or fall below 200 percent of the poverty level are eligible for the program.
The Bureau of Immunization is working on a computerized tracking system to send out reminder notices to parents.
Parents concerned about immunization can call their doctor or their county board of health.