For immediate release: Aug. 23, 2007
GALVESTON, Texas - As children lament the end of summer, now is the time for parents to prepare to keep kids healthy as they return to school.
Dr. Christine Turley, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, says, "This is a great opportunity for parents to take steps to keep their children as healthy from preventable infections as possible."
Texas mandates that all children entering public schools have current immunizations and vaccinations.
There have been several additions to the vaccines recommended for children, including a hepatitis A vaccine, meningococcal vaccine and a second dose of the chickenpox vaccine. According to Dr. Jean McAtee, assistant professor of pediatrics at UTMB, there are new and improved vaccinations for adolescents, including a tetanus booster that adds protection against whooping cough and Gardasil, a vaccine for girls that protects against cervical cancer.
"Children need to remember that frequent hand sanitizer use, in addition to hand washing, will help prevent the spread of many illnesses," McAtee said.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
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Galveston, Texas 77555-0144
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