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* Press release…
The Chicago Department of Public Health continues to make significant strides in protecting children, adolescents and adults against vaccine-preventable diseases and was once again recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its immunization efforts. During the annual grantee meeting in Atlanta, GA, CDPH received awards in three categories:
• Healthy People 2020 Award for most improved average of coverage rates for nine vaccinations for children aged 19-35 months from 2014 to 2017. Chicago’s high measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine coverage (94% for ≥1 dose for 19-35 month olds) is critical when measles outbreaks continue to occur in Washington, New York and as close as the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign.
• Healthy People 2020 Award for most improved average of coverage rates for adolescents aged 13-17 years from 2014 to 2017. Chicago surpassed the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80% Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series initiation in 2017 with 82% of teens having received at least one HPV vaccine. We are tied with Massachusetts for the 5th highest series initiation coverage in the country (after Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, Philadelphia and El Paso County, Texas).
• Recognition for programs with largest improvement in adult pneumococcal vaccination coverage with a more than 9 percentage point increase for adults aged 65 years and older from 2014-2017. Though adults can be historically hard to reach, making vaccines available to adults has been a priority for CDPH. The department spearheaded an effort to vaccinate high-risk adults with hepatitis A vaccine amidst a growing number of hepatitis A outbreaks, nationally and in other parts of Illinois. To date, CDPH has distributed over 3,000 doses of hepatitis A vaccine and administered over 2,000 doses with 11 vaccinating partners since 2017.
“Keeping Chicagoans healthy and ensuring they have access to quality preventive care is integral to keeping our City running,” said Mayor Emanuel. “These recognitions and record vaccination rates are a testament to Dr. Morita’s bold leadership and the Department of Public Health’s strategy, which is a model for the nation.”
“We are honored to be recognized as a model health department” said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, M.D. “These prestigious awards come with great responsibility and we reaffirm our commitment to increasing immunization rates and improving the lives of Chicagoans.”
HPV vaccine prevents cervical, other genital, head and neck cancers. In 2017, 67% of Chicago teens completed the HPV vaccine series (2 or 3 doses depending on age at initiation) which is 16 percentage points higher than the national coverage levels. In addition, Chicago saw increased rates for HPV coverage in adolescent boys from 41.6% in 2016 to 46.4% in 2017.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Feb 13, 19 @ 2:06 pm
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And adults, if you had chicken pox as a kid, get the shingles vaccine now! Like most who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s, my brother got chicken pox and so our mother had my sister and I go still next to him so that we all had it at the same time. Except now, you can get shingles. I just had my second bout with shingles and it was one of the most painful things I have ever endured.
Comment by 32nd Ward Roscoe Village Wednesday, Feb 13, 19 @ 2:16 pm
In Washington there is a state of emergency about the measles with cases past 200. in one county, 1/4 of the kids are not vaccinated. the anti vax people are anti science. Yes, get vaccinated. (multiple exclamation points)
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Feb 13, 19 @ 2:23 pm
Getting a shingles shot is good advice, but easier said than done. There’s a shortage of the vaccine and a lengthy waiting list at more pharmacies.
Comment by Msix Wednesday, Feb 13, 19 @ 2:45 pm
===a lengthy waiting list at more pharmacies. ===
Yep. I’ve been on one for months.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Feb 13, 19 @ 2:48 pm
== a lengthy waiting list at more pharmacies. ==
Yes, the Mrs and I are also on a waiting list.
A few notes on this for seniors.
1) They aren’t kidding about the pain and health risk of shingles; my mother-in-law had it a few years ago.
2) According to our doctor, even if you had a shingles vaccination years ago, that was a different vaccine and not as effective as what is available now. The recommendation seems to be that seniors who previously had chickenpox need to also get the new, 2 shot series.
3) And you really need to check your prescription insurance coverage because it is relatively expensive, $250-$300 per shot, if you have to pay out of pocket.
Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Feb 13, 19 @ 4:18 pm
Another voice heard from….when my son was still a toddler, he had a reaction–twice from the DTP vac(103 and 105 degree temp). Instead of stopping vacs, his doctor suggested, and I agreed, to go with separating the vacs and giving him an easier time to adjust. He was still done with the required vacs by 5, but it was easier on his body.
Comment by Union Thug Gramma Wednesday, Feb 13, 19 @ 4:39 pm