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16 Child Care Subsidy Provider Handbook Immunization6 Children need 80% of their vaccinations in the first two years of life. This requires multiple doses of vaccines that are given over approximately five health care visits. Deaths and disabilities from vaccine-preventable diseases, even “mild” ones, still occur in the U.S., even though immunizations are available. Ten vaccine- preventable diseases are potentially fatal, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella (German measles), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), hepatitis B and varicella. Tetanus kills three of every 10 people it strikes. Diphtheria kills one of 10. Preventing Disease with Vaccines It is important that children receive their immunizations. However, parents/caregivers may choose not to immunize their children. When more children are vaccinated, there is a lower chance of an epidemic — and reduced risk for those who are vulnerable because they are very young, have deficient immune systems or lack medical care. In addition to protecting individual children, immunizations can protect the entire community. In a child care setting, it is extremely important for the child’s primary caregiver to keep their child(ren) up to date with the shots appropriate for their age. Child care facilities usually care for children of different ages, and younger children must rely on the older children to be immunized to reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill. Even babies who are up to date on their shots must rely on the rest of the children to be immunized because some immunizations, like measles and chicken pox, cannot be given until a child is at least one year old and others require multiple doses before the child builds up full immunity. VACCINE ASSESSMENT TOOL Take a brief assessment to find out which vaccines are recommended for children and adolescents based on age, health conditions and other factors. To use the tool, visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www2a.cdc.gov/vaccines/childquiz CDC IMMUNIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created a vaccination guide with recommendations for children from birth to age 6. To view the guide, visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/downloads/parent-ver-sch-0-6yrs.pdf What is your role? To maintain a safe and healthy environment for the children in your care, make sure all of them are up to date on their immunizations. Providers are expected to ensure the following: • New children should have their immunization records when they enroll. • Records should be checked annually in September with the parents/caregivers to see that each child is fully immunized for their age. • Children who are 20 months old should be checked again in March to see if they meet the age-specific requirements. If they do, the records do not need to be reviewed again until kindergarten. • Keep up to date on your own immunizations. Immunizations aren’t just for children.