Physicians support new immunizations, urge children to get vaccinated early

New rules require more vaccinations before a child can start kindergarten or seventh grade this fall and physicians of the Texas Medical Association urge parents to get their child's shots now before school starts.

"Don't wait until school starts to ensure your child's health. The sooner your children get their vaccines, the sooner they are protected against serious diseases," said Carol Baker, MD, a spokesperson for TMA's "Be Wise — Immunize (SM)" program and executive director of the Center for Vaccine Awareness and Research at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.

In March, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announced revisions to vaccine requirements for school admittance. In addition to the shots already required for kindergarten children to start school, they now need to get these vaccinations:

— Two doses of hepatitis A; — Varicella (chickenpox); and

— Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR).

Seventh-graders also need additional shots. DSHS requires these children get these vaccinations:

— Meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine;

— Two doses of varicella vaccine; and

— Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) (Tdap) booster.

These vaccines were not required in the past. DSHS is now requiring the vaccines so Texas mirrors the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

"Vaccines protect us from potentially deadly infectious diseases that could be lurking just around the corner," said Dr. Baker. "Nearly one in five teens who contract meningococcal disease dies, and another 20 percent of those who survive may end up with lifelong complications."

Other diseases can have lingering effects. During the past few years, Texas has seen more cases of the highly contagious whooping cough, a disease that can cause children to cough for weeks or even months, Dr. Baker said.

"Students miss school, parents miss work, and students can't study or sleep because of the constant cough," she said.

In Williamson County near Austin, for example, pertussis cases have risen from 18 in 2008 to 112 already this year.

Parents shouldn't put off getting their child vaccinated because they don't have insurance or money to pay for it.

"Most communities offer free or low-cost vaccinations at local public health clinics so every child has a way to get vaccinated," said Dr. Baker.

TMA is actively involved in improving immunization practices in Texas through its Be Wise — Immunize program. The program works to educate physicians and the public about the latest vaccination practices. Since the program began in 2004, more than 128,000 vaccinations have been given to Texas children.

TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation, representing nearly 44,000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 120 component county medical societies around the state.