Collin County Health Care Services 825 N. McDonald Street, Suite 130 McKinney, Texas 75069 hc@collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 22, 2010

HEALTH ADVISORY: National Infant Immunization Week: Donate Diapers and Receive Free Vaccines!

(McKINNEY, Texas) – In recognition of National Infant Immunization Week, Collin County Health Care Services is offering 14 different childhood immunizations in exchange for donated packages of diapers or pull-ups. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all children be immunized for vaccine-preventable childhood diseases. Vaccines will be available to all children, 6 weeks through less than 18 years of age, from April 26-May 7, 2010 or while supplies last.

For a suggested donation of one package of diapers or pull-ups per vaccination, children can receive:

• Hepatitis B vaccine (HepB)
• Rotavirus vaccine (RV)
• Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis vaccine (DTaP)
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Pneumococcal vaccine (PCV)
• Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)
• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine (MMR)
• Varicella Vaccine
• Hepatitis A vaccine (HepA)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria (Td)/Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap): Minimum age 7 years
• Human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV): Minimum age 9 years
• Meningococcal Meningitis (MCV4): Minimum age 11 years (Many colleges and universities now require this vaccination)
• Seasonal influenza vaccine: Minimum age 3 years (Two doses of seasonal flu vaccine, one month apart, are needed for children 6 months through 9 years of age if this is the first time the child is receiving a seasonal flu vaccination)
• H1N1 vaccine: Minimum age 6 months  (All children under the age of 10 should receive two doses of H1N1 vaccine approximately 28 days apart)

Children may receive the majority of these vaccines in the same visit. All donations of diapers and pull-ups will be donated to charitable organizations serving people who live in Collin County. Diapers and pull-ups in Size 3-5 are a high priority.

Only one-third of people in the United States considered at high risk for developing H1N1 have been vaccinated according to the CDC. Those at highest-risk for complications from H1N1 flu include children younger than 5 years old, especially those under 2 years old; adults aged 65 years or older; pregnant women; and, persons with chronic medical conditions.

Vaccinations will be provided at the Collin County Health Care Services clinic located at 825 N. McDonald Street in McKinney. The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Parents are asked to bring their child’s vaccination records.

For more information, visit the Collin County website at www.collincountytx.gov and Collin County Facebook and Twitter sites; the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Texas Flu Vaccine Locator at www.Texasflu.org; DSHS H1N1 information lines available by calling “2-1-1”; or, calling Collin County Health Care Services at (972) 548-5500.

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