KANSAS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT
BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR
Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary
For Immediate Release
Contact: Don Brown, 785-296-1529
Kansas Gears Up for Operation Immunize on April 17-24
The 1999 Operation Immunize campaign will take place April 17-24. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) recently finalized locations for the annual campaign to immunize Kansas children against preventable diseases.*
"Babies require several immunizations within the first few months of life," said Kansas First Lady Linda Graves, spokeswoman for Operation Immunize. "Childhood immunizations help make certain that Kansas children have a bright, healthy future."
Operation Immunize offers free vaccinations against measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, polio, tetanus, varicella (chicken pox), haemophilus influenza B, and hepatitis B to children ages 35 months and under. A nominal fee applies to adults and children over 35 months.
Most local health departments offer vaccinations year-round.
"It's best that children be vaccinated when they reach two, four, six, and 12-18 months of age," said Monica Mayer, chief of KDHE's Immunization Program. "Childhood immunization is one of the most effective steps parents and caregivers can take to assure their children a healthy start in life."
A 1997 survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) puts the immunization rate for Kansas children ages 19-35 months at 82 percent. The goal of Operation Immunize is to have 90 percent of all Kansas children immunized before age two.
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