NEW LAW REQUIRES CERTAIN YOUTHS GET HEPATITIS VACCINE

A new, state health law requires that children entering a day care, nursery or Head Start program this fall first be immunized against hepatitis B before they can begin classes.

The requirement comes from the Missouri Department of Health and pertains to children born on or after Jan. 1, 1990.

Paula Rosenberg, public health adviser for the Missouri Bureau of Immunization, said one reason the state requires the vaccine is that it has been available for infants and young children long enough to be deemed safe. It has been available since 1991.

Another reason for the law is that there are 150,000 to 200,000 new hepatitis B carriers every year in the United States.

"It's important for children up to age 5 to receive the vaccine because if they are exposed to the virus there is an 85 percent chance they will become infected," she said.

Since it is a state requirement, the Cape County Health Department will provide the vaccine free of charge. The vaccine costs the state $7. Officials of the Bureau of Immunization estimate that most private physicians charge up to $90.

Cape County Health Department nursing supervisor Jane Wernsman said a clinic will be held Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to administer the shot, along with immunization shots for kindergarten students to protect against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella and influenza B.

"We prefer that parents call to make an appointment, but they can show up the day of the clinic," Wernsman said. Those wishing to make an appointment should call 335-7846. She said an appointment can be made prior to Aug. 8.

"The new rule expands the immunization to include hepatitis B," Wernsman said. She said the requirement only includes day care, Head Start and nursery children because of the cost of the vaccine.

Hepatitis B can be transmitted by blood and body fluids as well as blood transfusions.

"The shot is also given to children up to age 18 who are considered to be high risk," Wernsman said. High risk children are those who are sexually active or use intravenous drugs.

If a woman is pregnant and is hepatitis B positive, she can pass the disease on to her unborn child.

The rule expanding immunization to include shots to protect against hepatitis B was approved by the Missouri Board of Health.