Illinois Health Officials Campaign To Raise Hepatitis A Immunization Rates

Posted on July 13, 2009 by Hepatitis A Attorney

Illinois health officials are reminding parents  they should get hepatitis A protection for their children.

The rate of child immunizations for hepatitis A is increasing, almost doubling nationally from 26 percent in 2006 to 47 percent in 2007.

The increase was attributed to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in 2006 recommending immunization for all children in the United States - not just areas with high rates of the disease - and lowering its recommended age for the shot from two years to 12 to 23 months.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by ingesting even microscopic amounts of fecal matter in food or other sources.

In Illinois, the immunization rate more than tripled from 12 to 37 percent, while still lagging behind the rest of the country. 

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Board mandates more shots for schoolchildren

Posted on February 28, 2007 by Hepatitis A Attorney
Georgia students who expect to attend sixth grade this fall are going to have to roll up their sleeves again. The Georgia Department of Human Resources board has approved a new immunization schedule for schoolchildren, based on recommendations from the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Among the changes: Kids entering sixth grade will need booster shots for chicken pox and mumps; preschoolers will need to be vaccinated against a certain type of pneumonia; and all children born after Jan. 1, 2006, must be immunized against hepatitis A.

The immunization certificate required in order to attend Georgia schools is being revised based on the new recommendations. Copies of the form will be available from pediatricians and public health departments by Thursday.

Representatives from the Gainesville and Hall County school systems plan to meet with public health officials next week to discuss the new requirements and how to make people aware of them.

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