Press Release – National Immunization Awareness Month is celebrated annually in August to focus the attention of the public on the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages. Immunizations have significantly reduced the incidence of many serious infectious diseases; however, vaccination rates for some diseases are not meeting national public health goals. One of the goals of the Health Department is to educate the public about the importance of being vaccinated in order to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases.

 

During the month of August the Health Department wants to highlight the need for vaccines across all age groups. Each week we will be focusing on a different age group and the vaccines required or recommended for that group. The week of July 31-August 6 the focus will be on the vaccine recommendations for infants and young children.

Infants and young children are at increased risk of having serious complications from dangerous vaccine-preventable diseases. By the time a child is two years of age, they should have received vaccines that will protect them from fourteen diseases. Children under the age of five are especially susceptible to disease because their immune systems have not built up the necessary defenses to fight infection. By getting their children immunized on time parents can protect them from diseases and also protect others they come in contact with at school or daycare.

As time quickly approaches for children to go back to school parents may need to get vaccines for their children. The Health Department wants to remind parents of the immunization services available at BBCHD. Children who qualify for the Texas Vaccines for Children program can get all their back to school vaccines at the Health Department. The child must meet one of the following requirements in order to qualify for the state supplied vaccines:

  • Enrolled in Medicaid or is Medicaid-eligible,
  • Enrolled in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP),
  • Is an American Indian or Alaskan Native,
  • Is uninsured, or
  • Is underinsured (has private insurance which does not cover vaccines; private insurance covers only certain vaccines; or private insurance caps vaccine coverage at a certain amount.

When you bring your child for vaccines please bring their vaccine record and insurance card. The Health Department now files Medicaid on children and there is no administration fee charged for Medicaid recipients. Children on CHIP are charged the co-pay amount shown on the front of the CHIP card. Children who are not on Medicaid or CHIP, but are uninsured or underinsured can get all their vaccines for $14.00.

The Health Department is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00-11:30am and 1:00-4:30pm. Wednesday we are open from 7:30am-6:00pm.

If parents have questions about vaccines, vaccine scheduling or the cost of vaccines, please call the Brownwood/Brown County Health Department at 325-646-0554. Answers about vaccines can also be found at the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov.