HealthNet of California Gives Parents a Shot in the Arm with Tips on Childhood Immunizations

With back-to-school activities under way and with the flu season just around the corner, Health Net reminds parents to prepare their children for school by getting them immunized.

Immunizations are safe. Serious reactions are rare and the risk of disease far outweighs the fear of possible reactions. In addition, diseases that can be prevented by immunization have a costly impact, resulting in doctor visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths.

The following tips will help parents get their children up to speed with the schedule of recommended shots, some of which are necessary to be enrolled in school. The tips do not constitute medical advice; doctors should always be consulted regarding appropriate medical care.

• Children need shots at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 15 months – The basic series of immunizations includes DTaP (for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis), polio, MMR (for measles, mumps and rubella), haemophilus influenza (for meningitis), hepatitis B, pneumococcal, and varicella (for chicken pox).
• Varicella vaccine –As of July 2001, all daycare, Head Start and kindergarten entrants must have received the varicella vaccine for chicken pox. Exceptions apply for personal beliefs and medical reasons.
• Hepatitis A and B vaccines – Children in California also are required to have hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. The state implemented a two-dose hepatitis B vaccine schedule for adolescents. All children entering the seventh grade in California are required to have started receiving the hepatitis B series.
• Menactra – To help prevent meningococcal meningitis, it is recommended that children 11 and older receive the menactra vaccine.
• “Catch- up” shots – It is a good idea to re-evaluate your children’s immunization schedule when they turn 13. Work with your doctor or public health clinic to set up a schedule so your children can “catch-up” on any necessary immunizations. It’s easy to get back on track.
• Free or low-cost immunizations – If you do not have a doctor, low-cost or free immunizations are administered at your local county health department.

Health Net of California reminds parents that flu shots are recommended between October and November of each year. For 15 years, Health Net has provided San Diego County with quality health plan options, which include government-sponsored programs like Medi-Cal and Healthy Families. For information about these programs, call 1-800-327-0502.

About Health Net

Health Net of California, a subsidiary of Health Net, Inc. (NYSE:HNT), is one of the largest health plans in the state, serving more than 2.3 million members statewide. It contracts with more than 50,000 physicians, 300 hospitals and 4,600 pharmacies, giving its members greater choice and more convenient access to care. Its commercial lines of business have received “Excellent” and its Medicare lines of business have received “Commendable” accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance. For more information about Health Net, visit its Web site at www.healthnet.com.