News Release
August 1, 2011
The Texas Department of State
Health Services reminds parents to be sure their children are current on all
required immunizations before school starts. Students must be vaccinated
against certain preventable diseases before the first day of school, or they
may not be allowed to attend class.
“Immunizations
are key to stopping the spread of disease and keeping children well,” said Dr.
David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. “Vaccinations are safe and have dramatically
reduced the number of children who suffer and even die from serious illnesses like
measles, polio or chicken pox.”
The U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that deaths of young
people due to chicken pox have fallen by 97 percent since the vaccine was
introduced in 1995.
Texas immunization requirements for the
upcoming school year can be found in the School & Childcare section of ImmunizeTexas.org.
Parents can check with their child’s health care provider or local health
department to find out when and where immunizations are available.
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(News Media Contact: Chris Van Deusen, DSHS Assistant Press Officer, 512-776-7753)
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