Adoree Richardson, 4, is held by her father Alsell Richardson as she gets vaccine shots, including a measles vaccine, at the Southern Nevada Health District’s immunization clinic, 330 S. Valley View Blvd., Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 | 2 a.m.
As vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles make a comeback in the United States, health officials urge people to know their immunization status. People fall into one of four categories:
‣ Fully vaccinated. Children and adults who have received all recommended immunizations, plus booster shots if needed.
‣ Undervaccinated. Children and adults who receive an initial dose of vaccine but not all the recommended doses. In these cases, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be low.
‣ Unvaccinated by choice. People who choose not to vaccinate themselves or their children based on religious or personal beliefs.
‣ Unvaccinated by medical exemption. People who cannot be vaccinated because of, for instance, a compromised immune system due to chemotherapy, disease or other conditions or a serious allergy to a component in the vaccine.
The impact of an outbreak
In 2011, when there were 107 confirmed cases of measles in the United States, local and state public health agencies spent up to $5.3 million dealing with the outbreak, researchers found.
When a Valley High School student was diagnosed with measles this year, unvaccinated children at the school were told to stay home for 21 days, per Nevada law. If several students at one school get measles, unvaccinated children could be kept out of school for two to three months.
The Southern Nevada Health District offers immunizations at its public health centers. Call 702-759-0850 to make sure the specific vaccine you need is available.
Southern Nevada Health District
‣ Main Facility
330 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas
‣ East Las Vegas Public Health Center
560 N. Nellis Blvd., Suite D-1, Las Vegas
‣ Henderson Public Health Center
520 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson
Free immunizations at these clinics also are available to children enrolled in Nevada Women, Infants and Children. Call to schedule an appointment.
URBAN LEAGUE WIC
‣ 3320 E. Flamingo Rd., Suite 50, Las Vegas
702-476-9561
‣ 6480 W. Flamingo Rd., Suite B, Las Vegas
702-227-1573
CATHOLIC CHARITIES WIC
‣ 270 E. Horizon Dr., Suite 109
Henderson
702-558-3129
‣ 1700 Wheeler Peak Dr., Las Vegas
702-220-9928
‣ 4349 Duffer Dr., Las Vegas
702-643-3465
‣ 1511 Las Vegas Blvd., North Las Vegas
702-366-2069
NEVADA HEALTH CENTERS WIC
‣ 5001 E. Bonanza Rd., Suite 104, Las Vegas
702-220-9930
‣ 4601 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 1, Las Vegas
702-220-9944
‣ 3650 N. Rancho Dr., Suite 101, Las Vegas
702-220-9926
‣ 5225 E. Tropicana Ave. Suite D, Las Vegas
702-220-9929
‣ 3900 Cambridge St., Suite 101, Las Vegas
702-220-9934
‣ 2225 Civic Center Dr., Suite 150, North Las Vegas
702-220-6096
ST. ROSE WIC
‣ 7220 S. Cimarron Rd., Suite 195, Las Vegas
702-616-4905
‣ 2651 Paseo Verde Dr., Suite 180, Henderson
702-616-4905
SUNRISE FOUNDATION WIC
‣ 1000 E. Sahara Ave., Suite 101, Las Vegas
702-385-2100
‣ 3603 Las Vegas Blvd. North, Suite 110, Las Vegas
702-643-2515
‣ 3838 Meadows Lane, Las Vegas
702-646-5600
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy