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It's Not Too Early For Shots

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The Suncoast News

Published: July 1, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - NEW PORT RICHEY - Health officials are encouraging families to get free immunizations early so students are ready for the start of school Aug. 20.

"If a child is not up-to-date on immunizations, their body may not be strong enough to fight off the encountered disease," David Johnson, director of the Pasco County Health Department, said in a news release.

Vaccines tamed many infectious diseases that once were common in this country, including polio, measles, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), rubella (German measles), mumps, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae Type b (known as Hib).

"The closer we get to the first day of school, the busier our offices will be administering shots," said Carol Cummins, the health department's nursing director.

The agency offers free immunizations for children up to age 18.

The agency also conducts school physicals for $25.
Vaccination Schedule
• DTaP, the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine: Five doses by age 5. One dose each at 2, 4 and 6 months; one dose between 12 and 18 months; and one dose between 4 and 5 years.

• Polio vaccine: Four doses by age 5. One dose each at 2 and 4 months; one dose between 6 and 18 months; and one dose between 4 and 5 years.

• MMR, the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine: Two doses by age 5. One dose between 12 and 15 months and one dose between 4 and 5 years.

• Hepatitis B vaccine: Three doses completed by school entry.

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine: Four doses. One dose each at 2, 4 and 6 months, and one dose between 12 and 15 months.

• Varicella vaccine, against chickenpox: One dose at or after 12 months and a second dose between ages 4 and 6.

• Haemophilus influenzae Type b: Three to four doses, depending on the type of vaccine used, with last dose after first birthday.

As of January, Prevnar, the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, is required to attend day care.

Vaccinations against bacterial meningitis, a potentially fatal infection of the membrane covering the brain and spinal chord, and the human papilloma virus, which can cause genital warts or cancer of the cervix, are recommended for children 11 or older but are not required, according to the health department.

Family Health Services

• 13941 15th St., Dade City, (352) 521-1450

• 4717 Airport Road, Zephyrhills, (813) 782-1740

• 4135 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes, (813) 558-5173

• 10841 Little Road, New Port Richey, (727) 861-5260

• 5640 Main St., New Port Richey, (727) 841-4425

• 11511 Denton Ave., Hudson, (727) 863-2444

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