SEMO STUDENTS STUDY VACCINATION PRACTICES

The Cape Girardeau County Health Department this year had the state's best record for immunizations: Three of every four children get shots by age 2.

But health officials won't be satisfied until every child is immunized. "We want 100 percent," said Charlotte Craig, department director.

Craig said the state immunization average is just over 50 percent. Cape County had a 77 percent rate; last year the local figure was 66 percent.

She said 85 percent of youngsters in local, licensed day-cares are immunized.

Craig and nurse Jane Wernsman spoke at a press conference held Tuesday by Southeast Missouri State University students who had conducted their own survey concerning immunizations. Parents with children in seven local day-care centers were asked to complete a questionnaire about immunizations.

Students were unhappy with the response and feared reluctance to participate indicated immunizations weren't up to date. Only 25 percent of parents with children at the centers responded.

The lack of participation is similar to what nurses see at immunization clinics. The health department offers free shots, but parents often miss their appointments and children don't get shots on time.

Craig said the problem is common across the country, and public health nurses wonder what to do.

When children reach school age, the state requires immunization before students can attend public school. But it is tough to get preschoolers immunized, the nurses said.

"We have an evening clinic. We bend over backwards to make arrangements for parents, but we still have a no-show rate of 15 to 18 percent," Craig said.

She thinks parents are short on time and short on awareness about the diseases immunizations prevent.

"We see whooping cough and measles every year," Craig said. "These diseases are preventable."

For information about immunizations or clinics, call the health department at 335-7846.

Students conducting the immunization survey were in Bill Thompson's social-work class. Students were asked to assess a community need. Half the class looked at immunization and the other half has prepared a youth resource directory being distributed to junior- and senior-high counselors this week. The guide is designed for teen-agers.