Southwest Public Health District officials pushing vaccinations

ALBANY — Officials with the Southwest Public Health District are reminding the public that immunization is of one of the best and safest weapons against dangerous, often life-threatening diseases.

“Recently there has been a lot in the news about Zika, an infection for which there is no vaccine currently available,” said Southwest Public Health District Health Director Dr. Charles Ruis. “Medical experts are hard at work developing a vaccine, but it is unlikely there will be immunizations against the Zika virus available for two or more years at a minimum.

“The good news is that immunizations are available for many other diseases, and you can get vaccinated at your county health department.”

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, but that is not the only motivator for the reminder. While no such protection exists for Zika, there are other diseases posing a threat to Southwest Georgia communities — such as chickenpox, influenza and pertussis — for which there are inoculations.

“Parents need to remember the important roles vaccines play in keeping their children healthy,” said Southwest Public Health District Immunization Coordinator Rebecca Snow.

Measles is another example. The illness has made a comeback in the United States in recent years because of international travelers exposing it to non-vaccinated individuals.

“We have had cases of chickenpox in our district on occasion, and not too long ago our district had a large outbreak of pertussis,” Snow said. “Vaccinations are vital to keep diseases from spreading. They are not just for children, but for adolescents and adults as well. By immunizing yourself and your family, you are keeping your entire community safer and healthier.”

Pertussis is more commonly known as whooping cough.

School recently came back in session for the 2016-17 school year, so Public Health has also been stressing the importance of back-to-school vaccinations.

“Georgia law requires students be up-to-date on their immunizations,” Ruis said. “If you have questions about what vaccinations your child needs, check with your county health department or local provider.”

Flu season is just around the corner, so health departments and pharmacies are gearing up to offer flu shots.

“We encourage you to get protected against seasonal influenza, and if your child is going to one of the schools where our county health departments are offering flu clinics, please consider taking advantage of that,” Ruis said.

Flu shots often become available in September to give people an opportunity to get vaccinated well ahead of the usual peak season, which typically comes concurrently with colder weather. The vaccines contain the strains anticipated to be the most likely to circulate that year, and take two weeks to have the desired effect.

More information about available vaccines and other information related to immunizations is available at health care providers, pharmacies and county health departments.