Free Vaccines for Children All Week

Health departments across the state are offering free immunization shots all week long to children under 18.

As concern about swine flu grows, health officials are warning parents not to forget the importance of routine vaccinations. MPB’s Cari Gervin reports.

Reece Sabbatini is playing with a friend. When asked about going to the doctor and getting a shot, he laughs and says it doesn’t hurt – in the way that only a three-year-old can, by pretending to give himself one.

“And you get shot – pssew! And you get – pssew! –pssew! You’ll hurt yourself.”

Reece might not cry when he gets vaccines, but his mom Ryan did.

“I cried when he got his first shots," she laughs. "Because, I don’t know, I think they’re about two weeks old when they get their first shots, and so it’s hard.”

Hard, Ryan Sabbatini says, but worth it.

“I mean, no one wants their kid to get sick. I think that’s why they get their shots.”

For all the rest of the parents trying to keep up with their childrens’ vaccinations, the state health department is offering a helping hand this week – free routine immunizations for anyone under the age of 18.

State epidemiologist Dr. Mary Currier says the shots are needed to prevent pandemic episodes.

“Vaccines are very important. They’re one of the most important public health measures that happened in the last century. And it’s a wonderful thing – it keeps our kids from getting sick.”

County health departments across the state will be offering free vaccines through Friday to prevent diseases like measles, whooping cough, hepatitis and polio.

However, many vaccinations require follow-up shots on a specific timetable. Officials warn that just the one vaccine will not necessarily prevent your children from getting sick.

For MPB News, I’m Cari Gervin.