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Kentucky Altering Immunization Schedule

By Tony McVeigh

Frankfort, KY – Attention parents. Kentucky's immunization schedule for infants, toddlers and school-age children is being revised. Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeigh explains the changes.

Kentucky is aligning its immunization schedule with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. Dr. William Hacker, Kentucky's public health commissioner, says the changes take effect July 1st.

"What we're beginning to require is a pneumococcal vaccine by age five. Pneumococcus is a bacteria that causes pneumonia, ear infections, sinus infections, and can cause meningitis and can be fatal. It also requires a meningococcal vaccine by sixth grade entry."

The state is also recommending second doses of the chicken pox vaccine, the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis vaccine, and the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Dr. Hacker says parents have nothing to fear, and he's confident the updated immunization schedule will improve the health and well-being of Kentucky's children.