Before Utah children can enter kindergarten this year, they must get a Hepatitis A and B shot.
The new State regulation now requires protection against the viruses.
The push is also on to immunize about 90 percent of Utah's teenage population which remains unprotected.
Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports.
Like all its neighboring western states, Utah has one of the highest rates of Hepatitis A in the country.
Someone infected, working in a restaurant or preparing food in the home, can pass it on to other people.
Children are often carriers but may not show serious signs of illness.
Hepatitis B might be picked up by kids who share needles, have their ears, lips or body pierced, or get a tattoo in a non-sterile environment.
Linda Abel / State Health Immunization Program: "HEPATITIS A AND B BOTH CAUSE, ULTIMATELY, DAMAGE TO THE LIVER. AND SO IF YOU CAN PREVENT THAT WITH VACCINES THAT ARE AVAILABLE, YOU SHOULD."
Beginning Thursday, April 4, adults, teens or children can get their Hepatitis shots at community nursing services sponsored clinics at various locations throughout the valley.
The Adolescent Hepatitis Immunization Project is a five year campaign in partnership with the State Health Department and CNS.
People planning trips abroad should also consider getting the shots.
Jamie Zayach / Community Nursing Services: "WE HAVE A LARGE SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION BORN PRE-1992 WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN IMMUNIZED AGAINST HEPATITIS A AND B."
Immunization Clinics
April 4
Riverton High School: 10:30 am - 1:00 pm
Taylorsville High School: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Brockbank Jr. High School: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Bennion Jr. High School: 9:00 am - 11:00 am
April 5th
Pleasant Grove Manila LDS Stake Center: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Some parental groups believe adding more and more shots to a child's immunization package will only increase the risk of adverse reactions.
The CDC, however, says the benefit in combating these viruses with the new vaccines still far outweighs what it considers any "minimal" risk of side effects.
April 3, 2002
