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Show Rubella Shots To Cot Emphasis FARMINGTON - Rubella immunization of teenage girls and older women will receive more emphasis from the Davis County Health Department. Depart-ment. HEALTH Director Dr. Richard E. Johns told the county's Board of Health Tuesday morning that, "there has been a really serious problem with rubella in the northern end of the county" that has created "concern" for health officials. He said there had been seven or eight cases reported in Kaysville within the last six months, all involving students in secondary schools. "We are looking at immunization of young girls and older women," although he added that discussion would still have to be held with the Davis County Board of Education before any ac-. ac-. tual immunization drive might be held. THERE ARE some criteria that must be considered before giving an immunization. immuniza-tion. Dr. Johns said. The woman or girl is asked if she is pregnant or plans pregnancy preg-nancy within the next three months. In asking these questions, the health department would explain that damage could be caused to the fetus. But the National Center for Disease Control in Atlanta, Ga., has relaxed standards feeling proof is lacking to substantiate substan-tiate concern. "There have been absolutely no documents showing it has been bad (to immunize pregnant women)," Dr. Johns said. "I recommend young women should be immunized to decrease chances of a rubella outbreak. "WE SHOULD be prepared to give an expanded rubella clinic. The reason we would want to expand the pool to older women is because they have the chance to contract rubella and babies have a 50 percent chance of getting rubella syndrome." That could mean heart defects, mental retardation and other problems. NURSING director Dolleen Jewett said the department hasn't been immunizing any females over 12-years-of-age. tb |