Wayne County urges parents to get routine vaccinations for children

Wayne County’s Department of Public Health strongly advises parents to get their children vaccinated.  This year one case of measles has been diagnosed in an adult in Oakland County, whom has recently fully recovered from the illness.  To date, measles have not appeared to spread in Michigan.
“Measles is a serious respiratory illness that can lead to complications that may require hospitalization of patients,” said Wayne County’s Public Health Officer Dr. Mouhanad Hammami. “Fortunately, it is completely preventable by vaccination. In fact, measles was declared eliminated in the United States in the year 2000 due to a highly effective vaccination program that led to a reduction of 99% in Measles cases.”
The Wayne County Department of Public Health stresses the importance of parents getting their children vaccinated at their pediatrician’s office or local health department.  The measles vaccination is part of the routine measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine that children should get at 18 months old.
“This recent outbreak of measles is a reminder of the importance of vaccination for children and those at high risk by traveling to areas where measles is still common.  Vaccinating is a simple way of avoiding this very serious illness,” Hammami said.
Wayne County’s Department of Public Health offers the Vaccines for Children program which provides childhood vaccinations to children from birth to age 19.  Please note, vaccines are available to all eligible kids with Medicaid, no insurance or health insurance that does not cover vaccines and American Indian/Alaskan Natives.  A $10 administrative fee is requested but not required for children without Medicaid, however, service is not refused based on inability to pay.
Immunizations are available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
and on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Wayne County Health Center located at 33030 Van Born Road, Wayne, MI 48184. To set up an appointment, please call (734) 727-7100.