By SDCN Staff
San Diego, CA–County public health officials are continuing to urge parents and caregivers to ensure children and adolescents receive recommended vaccinations, citing their long-standing role in preventing serious illness and death.
The county’s immunization schedule aligns with guidance from the California Department of Public Health and the West Coast Health Alliance, officials said. The recommendations come as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently modified its national vaccine schedule.
Health officials said childhood and adolescent vaccines protect against a range of diseases and have been proven safe and effective through decades of research and use. The county recommends immunizations at appropriate ages for hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and COVID-19.
“All parents want their children to be healthy,” said Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Maintaining a regular vaccination schedule remains the best way to protect our children, their peers and our community from preventable diseases. These vaccines have been studied for safety and effectiveness for decades and it is important that parents and caregivers stay up to date on all recommended doses.”
Additional recommended childhood vaccines include DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; MMR for measles, mumps and rubella; as well as vaccines for chickenpox and polio.
County officials said childhood and adolescent vaccines are typically covered by insurance and are available through pediatricians, healthcare providers and county public health clinics for uninsured families.
