The CDC and Department of Health recommend that because
of cases of MEASLES being brought into this country by travelers, all children
between 6 months and 12 months receive a dose of MMR vaccine before ANY TRAVEL
OUTSIDE THE U.S. Normally, children receive the first dose at age 1 year
and the 2nd dose at age 4 years. The new recommendation also is for
children over 1 year to receive the 2nd dose before traveling. (Note that New York State requires 2 doses of MMR after
the age of 12 months, prior to entering kindergarten. Therefore, if a
child receives a dose between 6 and 12 months for travel, it will not count
toward these 2 doses.)
Health advisory: Those
traveling to the Carribean, especially people performing missionary work, are
at risk for dengue fever, a disease spread by mosquitoes. It is important
to use mosquito repellent and mosquito netting, especially in places and times
of day when mosquitoes are prevalent. See:
www.cdc.gov/travel/
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2/3/10: The Lancet in Great Britain
has formally retracted the 1998 study linking MMR to autism.
They found that Dr. Wakefield's study was not performed scientifically, and he
acted unethically. Multiple subsequent studies have since found no link.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8493753.stm
5/25/10: Dr. Wakefield is barred
from practicing medicine in Great
Britain.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/health/policy/25autism.html
2011: Dr. Wakefield's
study is declared a fraud:Dr. Wakefield accepted over
$600,000 from lawyers seeking to sue vaccine manufacturers
The bottom line:
MMR is safe.
Measles is deadly.
Mumps and rubella
are extremely dangerous, too.
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Did you know that many popular sports
drinks have MORE sugar than cola? Only use sports drinks when
your child is performing prolonged strenuous exercise or exercise in excessive
heat. Otherwise, water is best during sports and at meals/snacks.
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Watch this space for
notices about the office or important public health issues in the news.
Remember that all
children between 40 and 80 lbs. must be in a booster seat when riding in a car
(unless over 4 ft., 9 in.) and must be in the back seat.
Studies have shown that
decreasing one's time watching TV or sitting in front of the computer can significantly
decrease one's BMI (body mass index).
Useful Websites:
American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.orgfor all
kinds of pediatric health information
Centers for Disease Control
- foreign travel information: www.cdc.gov/travel/
Vaccine information from
the Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia: www.vaccine.chop.edu/parents
A non-profit
organization committed to providing accurate information about vaccines
White Plains Hospital
Center: www.wphospital.org
Car Seat Information
www.carseat.org
Car
Seats for Special Needs Children
www.preventinjury.org
New York State Department
of Health:
www.health.state.ny.us/
Westchester County
Department of Health:
www.westchestergov.com/health/
Quit smoking:
www.anti-smoking.org/quitting.htm
Children of
Alcoholics Foundation:
www.coaf.org
Donate to
help end cancer in children:
www.TayBandz.org