OCR Text |
Show Immunization Survey in Garfield Set A survey will be taken throughout the schools in Grfield County to determine the number of immunizations that need to be given as part of the massive program to increase immunization of Utah children between 1 and 15 years of age against childhood diseases. The survey will go out March 16 at Panguitch Elementary and will be expected back March 17. The surveys at the other schools in Garfield County will be sent out at a later date. Called the Utah Immunization Initiative, the goal is to get 90 percent of the children in Utah both pre-school and those attending school immunized against preventable disease by October 1, 1979. Dr. W. David Trafton, medical director for the Southwestern Utah District Health Department said, "The Utah program is pert of a national immunization campaign started bv thp Department ot Health, Education and Welfare." Dr. Trafton said, "A 100 percent immunization rate cannot be reached since some parents will not allow their children to receive the shou for religious or medical reasons. But, the program's purpose as said, is to present outbreaks of polio, measles, German measies, aipntneria, pertussis and tetanus." "Based on national figures, about 160,000 school children in Utah haven't been adequately immunized against these diseases" said Ralph H. Mower, community health educator. In addition, 63,000 pre-school children are inadqiiately protected. He said another objective of the program is to establish a permanent system involving state and local health departments, private physicians and voluntary and professional organizations to ensure that all children born in Utah every year are adequately immunized Dr. Trafton said clinics are established where the shots can be obtained Some organizations are printing pamphlets, writing public service announcements and dUributing films to TV stations to encourage parcatn to check their children's immuiiiza'ion records |