WHY ARE THESE IMMUNIZATIONS IMPORTANT?

For many years the backbone of Alaska's disease prevention efforts has been the appropriate immunization of children attending our schools and childcare facilities. Compliance with these requirements has nearly eliminated vaccine-preventable diseases that in the past caused significant illness and death. This success is the direct result of the tremendous partnerships that have developed among parents, school and child care facility personnel, and health care providers. This support and commitment will ensure that Alaska's children and adults do not suffer from diseases that can be prevented safely and effectively.

WHERE TO GET IMMUNIZATIONS AND INFORMATION:

Childhood vaccines are available at physician offices, clinics and public health centers throughout the state. For additional information talk to your doctor or nurse, or call
Alaska Immunization Hotline:
Toll free: 1-888-430-4321
In Anchorage: 269-8088

Or visit our website at http://www.epi.alaska.qov/immunize

VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES

• Diphteria: Caused by bacteria that can infect the nose, throat and lungs. Breathing becomes difficult and can lead to suffocation. Death results in one out of 10 cases.

• Tetanus (Lockjaw): Caused by bacteria that enter the body through a cut or wound. This disease causes extremely painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. One in 10 people who get tetanus die.

• Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Causes coughing spells so severe that it is hard to eat, drink or breathe. This can last for weeks. Pertussis also can result in brain damage or death especially in infants.

• Polio: Once a common cause of paralysis in the United States. It is important to be protected against polio because this virus still exists in the world.

• Measles: A serious childhood disease that causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It spreads very easily and can lead to hearing loss, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.

• Mumps: Causes headache, fever, and swelling of the cheeks and jaw. It can lead to hearing loss, meningitis (inflammation of the brain), and brain damage.

• Rubella (German Measles): Usually a mild disease in children, causing only a slight fever and rash. However, if it occurs during pregnancy, rubella can cause severe birth defects or be fatal to newborn infants.

• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): A dangerous childhood disease that can cause meningitis (inflammation of the brain), loss of hearing, seizures, mental retardation, and death. It is most serious in infants under one year of age.

• Hepatitis A: A serious viral infection of the liver that causes fever, yellow eyes and skin (jaundice), loss of appetite, and nausea. It is spread from person-to-person or through contaminated food or water.

• Hepatitis B: A serious disease of the liver caused.by a different virus than hepatitis A. People who have the infection may suffer from liver failure or liver cancer, which is often fatal. The earlier in life a person is infected, the more likely he or she is to become a lifelong carrier of the disease and pass it on to others.

• Varicella: A common usually mild childhood disease that can be extremely serious especially in infants and adults
  It can lead to severe skin infection scars, pneumonia, brain damage and death.