MANY CHILDREN ENTER SCHOOL WITHOUT SHOTS

Some pre-school children in Southeast Missouri are not immunized by the time they enter school, a fact that frustrates health officials of the region.

"There is no reason for any young child in Southeast Missouri not to have all of his or her required shots completed by the time they're ready to enter school," says Billie Surface, administrator of the Bollinger County Health Department in Marble Hill.

"The vaccine is here. There is no charge for the immunizations. All they have to do is come in."

Charlotte Craig, director of the Cape Girardeau County Health Department, says lack of education may be a problem.

She says many young parents today do not remember the polio and measles epidemics that swept the country, killing thousands of children.

"They do not understand the reason we no longer have these kind of widespread epidemics is because of the early-childhood immunization programs during the past 20 years that have nearly wiped out these diseases," Craig says.

Health officials say the rate of immunizations among pre-school children in Southeast Missouri while certainly not satisfactory is still well above that of the urban areas of Missouri.

Bob Castor of the Missouri Department of Health's immunization program regional office at Poplar Bluff says a year-old survey conducted showed the number of children in compliance with state immunization requirements in the Bootheel ranged from 28-30 percent. The state average is 44 percent. But Castor notes in some urban areas of the state, that figure is as low as 10-15 percent.

Castor says last October, the state received federal money from the Centers for Disease Control to obtain vaccine and administer immunizations for children in the state.

"At the present time, all counties in Southeast Missouri are receiving this CDC funding for free immunizations," Castor says.

Nationwide, state and federal health officials are concerned about the impact of low immunization levels that can be seen when outbreaks occur. In 1990, more than 27,000 cases of measles were reported in the United States, the largest number of cases reported since 1977. Almost 50 percent of the cases were reported in pre-school-age children. Nationwide, more than 60 measles deaths were reported with these outbreaks.

Earlier this month, Missouri reported the first confirmed case of measles in the state since 1991. Many of the cases and deaths nationwide could have been avoided had the children been immunized, according to Dr. Coleen Kivlahan, director of the Missouri Department of Health.

To publicize the need for childhood immunizations, the week of April 24-30 has been proclaimed as Preschool Immunization Week in Missouri. But health officials in this area say there are already numerous, free immunization clinics available year-round. They say the problem is that not enough parents are not bringing their children in to the clinics.

Karen Evans of the Scott County Public Health Department says an immunization clinic is under way today in Sikeston from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m., at the health office, 205 W. Malone.

The department will hold other immunization clinics on: May 3, at the Benton office, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.; on May 12, at the Scott City VFW Hall, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m.; and May 18 and 25, at the Sikeston office, from 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.

"The clinics are for children and adults that need immunizations, with a special focus on the needs of pre-school children," Evans explains. "There is no charge for the immunizations, and no appointment is necessary. We also accept out-of-county residents at any of the Scott County clinics."

Evans said parents should also bring their child's immunization record, if one is available.

In Bollinger County, health officials conduct a free, walk-in immunization clinic each Wednesday, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., except during the dinner hour. The county health office is located at 200 Conrad, just west of the Bollinger County Courthouse.

"We also do child immunizations during our well-child and primary care clinics, and most recently, have started immunizations in connection with Women Infants and Children certifications," Surface says.

In Cape Girardeau County, free immunization clinics are held twice a month at the Jackson Presbyterian Church from 9-12 noon20and 1-4 p.m. "We also do two free immunizations each month at our Cape Girardeau office, at 1121 Linden," Craig adds. "These all-day clinics are held on the first and third Wednesdays, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. On one of these day-long clinics, the office hours are until 6 p.m., so parents can bring their children by after work."

Craig says every Friday afternoon, the Cape Girardeau office conducts an infants-only immunization clinic from 2-4 p.m.

"We ask that anyone planning to bring their child to one of our immunization clinics to call (335-7846) to make an appointment, so we'll have enough vaccine on hand," she said.

Craig says the health department is gearing up for a series of spring immunization booster shot clinics that will be held in the Jackson and Cape Girardeau school districts to prepare for the start of school this fall.

The Jackson booster shot clinic will be held on May 6, from 3-7 p.m. The exact location will be contained in a note that will be sent home with students by school nurses.

The Cape Girardeau schools booster shot clinic will be held May 12, from 3-7 p.m., in the Central Junior High School Cafeteria. Again, notes will be sent home with students by the school nurses of the clinics.

"Throughout the summer months, the county health department will also schedule as the need arises a series of clinics for kindergarten and first grade students who need their booster shots before the start of school. Call the county health office for the times and locations of these summer booster clinics," Craig adds.

Surface says schools in the state are starting to rigidly enforce immunization requirements because of recent outbreaks of preventable childhood diseases.

"Beginning this year, parental exemptions will no longer be accepted by schools. Only a signed note of a physician or religious official will exempt a child from the immunization requirements," she notes. "And beginning this fall, schools will only allow 15 days, instead of the previous 30 days, after the start of school for students to get their needed booster or immunization shots."

Kivlahan says the goal of the Missouri Department of Health is to have at least 90 percent of the children under age two in the state immunized by the year 2000.

She adds: "I urge parents to check their child's immunization records. If they are overdue for an immunization, or if parents are unsure of their child's immunization states, they are advised to contact their physician or county public health clinic."