A NEW SCHOOL IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT IS NOW IN EFFECT FOR ALL SIXTH GRADE STUDENTS IN ILLINOIS.

STAYING UP TO DATE ON VACCINES HELPS FAMILIES PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM THE MOST SERIOUS ILLNESSES. PARENTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR ALL SIXTH GRADE AND OLDER STUDENTS SAYS DOCTOR CRAIG BATTERMAN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AT SIU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN SPRINGFIELD. HE EXPLAINS THE NEW REQUIRED BOOSTER VACCINE.

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DOCTOR BATTERMAN SAYS THE NEW REQUIREMENT IS DUE TO INCREASED INCIDENCES OF PERTUSSIS OR WHOOPING COUGH IN RECENT YEARS. THE PERTUSSIS VACCINE IS GIVEN TO YOUNGER CHILDREN, BUT IMMUNITE WANES IN THE OLDER AGE GROUP, MAKING THEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE DISEASE. HE LISTS OTHER SCHOOL VACCINATIONS.

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DOCTOR BATTERMAN SAYS VACCINES ARE SAFE, AND HE URGES PARENTS TO MAKE SURE THEIR CHILDREN GET THE REQUIRED VACCINATIONS AT THE SCHEDULED TIMES. IF THEY HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT VACCINES, THEY SHOULD TALK TO THEIR PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, PEDIATRICIAN OR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.