West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Story Archives - Page 26 of 26

With School Starting Soon, It's Time to Boost Vaccinations

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources urges parents to take action to ensure children have the proper vaccinations before school…

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources urges parents to take action to ensure children have the proper vaccinations before school starts.

Children entering a West Virginia school for the first time from kindergarten through grade 12 are required to have the DTaP, polio, MMR, chickenpox and hepatitis B vaccines. Children who are not behind schedule can receive school entry “booster” doses in just two vaccinations (DTaP-Polio and MMR-chickenpox) with combination vaccines.

Dr. Letitia Tierney, Commissioner of the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health and State Health Officer, says now is the best time for parents of students entering kindergarten, 7th and 12th grades to make sure their child has the required immunizations.

• 7th graders must show proof they received a dose of Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough); and a dose of the meningitis vaccine.
• 12th graders must show proof of a dose of Tdap and a second dose of the meningitis vaccine, if the first dose of the meningitis vaccine was given before the child’s sixteenth birthday. If the first dose was given after the sixteenth birthday, a second dose of the meningitis vaccine is not required.

The Division of Immunization Services encourages parents to schedule these vaccinations now as doctors’ offices will be extremely busy with immunizations and sports physicals in the weeks leading up to the start of school.

http://www.immunization.wv.gov.

W.Va. Officials Launch Behavioral Health Program

West Virginia officials are launching an initiative to help Medicaid members with behavioral health diagnoses live healthier and happier lives.

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Bureau for Medical Services said it launched the Health Homes initiative for behavioral health on July 1.

As part of the program, a team of professionals coordinates to help manage medical conditions and medications, remember doctor appointments and understand medical tests and results. Teams will also work with doctors, counselors and specialists to support recovery and prevent other illnesses or complications.

The program is available in Cabell, Kanawha, Mercer, Putnam, Raleigh and Wayne counties. Officials say those locations were selected because of the high rates of individuals who are already being treated for behavioral disorders.

DHHR Survey: One-Fifth Reported Symptoms Related to Spill

The state Department of Health and Human Resources released the results Monday of a survey of households in the nine county area affected by the January chemical spill. The results are similar to those released in previous months.

The DHHR’s Bureau for Public Health conducted the door-to-door survey over the course of three days in early April, teaming with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and volunteers from the WVU School of Public Health.

CASPER, the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response, was meant to gage the level of public health concerns following the Elk River chemical spill.

In a press release, the DHHR reportsed one-fifth of respondents had a member of their household experience symptoms consistent with those previous studies had identified, including a DHHR review of emergency room records following the spill and results from a similar study conducted by the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Loretta Haddy said their results show the need for additional, long-term health monitoring in the area.

Neither the state nor the federal government has committed funds to an extended study.