April 16, 1999
The San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency is providing free preventive health screenings for adults 55 and older at several locations in the South Bay and East County areas. A Public Health Nurse meets with each person by appointment to discuss health, nutrition, physical activity, medication management, and chronic conditions. Tests include blood pressure, vision, hearing and blood tests for glucose and anemia. For more information and/or an appointment, call Irma Torres, SSA at (619) 691-4556 or Rebecca Cason, RN, PHN at (619) 691-4547 at South Bay Public Health Center.
Immunizations Available at Low or No Cost
Chicken pox is NOT child's play, say local health officials and health care workers. It is potentially serious disease that affects millions of children in the U.S. each year. But according to a national 1997 survey, only about one-third of San Diego County babies have been vaccinated against the disease.
"Approximately one child per week dies in this country from complications due to chicken pox," said Robert K. Ross, M.D., Director of the County's Health and Human Services Agency. "Most complications from the disease occur in previously healthy children, and there's no way to predict which children will develop complications."
The best way to prevent chicken pox is to be immunized against it with a safe and effective vaccine available for infants. Parents should take advantage of the numerous free and low-cost immunization resources available in our community.
This year's National Infant Immunization Week, set for April 18-24, will focus on chicken pox and its dangers. The County Board of Supervisors will issue a proclamation during this week to promote infant and toddler immunization. Locally, observances include the Children's Health and Arts Festival on April 17 at 220-286 Euclid Ave., San Diego, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Mock Chicken pox event at the Jackie Robinson YMCA Head Start on April 21.
To be sure children are fully protected, parents should have their child's immunization record checked for missing shots. Parents can either call their child's doctor or the Baby Shots Line at (619) 692-6600 during business hours to review the shot record with a nurse.
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