FEATURE/Health Net Reminds Parents About New Vaccinations Required for Seventh Graders.WOODLAND HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE FEATURES)--Aug. 18, 1999-- Attention parents: Health Net, one of California's largest health plans, reminds you that a new state law requires all students entering the seventh grade to have two important vaccinations. By the time classes start: -- Seventh graders must have at least begun receiving the first of three hepatitis B Hepatitis B Definition Hepatitis B is a potentially serious form of liver inflammation due to infection by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It occurs in both rapidly developing (acute) and long-lasting (chronic) forms, and is one of the most common chronic vaccinations. The three vaccinations take four to six months to complete. So, if you have not already done so, you should have the first vaccination completed before your child goes back to school. -- And seventh graders must get a second vaccination to protect them against the measles measles or rubeola (r  bē`ələ), highly contagious disease of young children, caused by a filterable virus and spread by droplet spray from the nose, mouth, . This is called the MMR vaccine MMR vaccine Live measles-mumps-rubella vaccine A trivalent vaccine containing an aqueous suspension of live attenuated strains of measles, mumps, and rubella viruses grown in chick or duck embryo cells. See Killed vaccine, Live attenuated vaccine. , which also protects against the mumps and rubella rubella or German measles, acute infectious disease of children and young adults. It is caused by a filterable virus that is spread by droplet spray from the respiratory tract of an infected individual. . "Health Net is committed to wellness, and we provide coverage for all the essential vaccinations that help prevent disease in infants and youngsters," said Laura Clapper, MD, a pediatrician and medical director for Health Net. "These vaccinations will go a long way in helping your child remain healthy and happy." Clapper added that if children haven't had the chicken pox chicken pox or varicella (vâr'əsĕl`ə), infectious disease usually occurring in childhood. It is believed to be caused by the same herpesvirus that produces shingles. yet or missed their chicken pox (varicella varicella: see chicken pox. ) vaccination when they were younger, the seventh grade is a good time to catch up. Children who skip either the hepatitis B or measles vaccinations will not be permitted to attend class. The new law applies to both public and private school students. There are exceptions for religious beliefs. Talk to an administrator at your child's school for full details. |
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