Other voices

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Sep 22, 2008

The Garden City Telegram, Sept. 8:

Efforts to get more Kansas toddlers the immunizations they need are working.

A recent report shows children age 19 months to 35 months in Kansas being vaccinated at a greater rate. But with the rate reported in 2007 still below the national average, there's room for improvement.

The recommended vaccinations for toddlers include four doses of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine; three doses of hepatitis B vaccine; three doses of Haemophilus influenzae type B vaccine; three doses of polio vaccine; one dose of measles-mumps-rubella vaccine; and one dose of varicella vaccine.

Kansas' vaccination rate was 76 percent -- slightly below the national average, but still a marked improvement of some 6 percentage points over 2006.

One key strategy in achieving a better record of preventive care through vaccines is education.

Misinformation has sparked unwarranted concerns about ingredients in the recommended vaccines.

No child should face a devastating illness that could be prevented by a vaccine. The ongoing challenge is in making sure parents understand the importance of the primary series of immunizations -- a proven way to protect not only their own child's health, but also that of many other youngsters in the community.