As Start Of School Inches Closer, Officials Get The Word Out On Strict Vaccination Requirements
California has some of the strictest vaccination regulations in the country, and under legislation that took effect in July 2016, parents can no longer claim a personal belief exemption from the immunization laws.
Modesto Bee:
One More Thing On The Back-To-School List: Vaccinations For The Kids, Offered Friday
With schools set to open next week, health services officials with Stanislaus County and Modesto City Schools are pushing the state-required immunizations for schoolchildren. In an advisory this week, Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, county health officer, said the vaccinations protect children against serious diseases such as polio, measles, mumps, chicken pox and whooping cough. (Carlson, 8/8)
In other public health news —
The Mercury News:
Mothers Fight For Breast Milk In Silicon Valley
Wednesday morning, the San Jose-based non-profit [Mother’s Milk Bank], which provides milk to premature infants and non-lactating mothers, set up tables in front of Comprecare Health Center, a Gardner Health Services clinic to host its first breast-milk drive in Silicon Valley. The effort to celebrate and raise awareness about breastfeeding comes amid increased efforts from U.S. formula brands to push alternative nutrition options for young infants. ...Staffers at the Gardner clinic came prepared to fight for breast-feeding moms armed with shirts reading “Milk Warrior,” and pamphlets that listed the benefits of breast milk over formula, which ranged from providing antibodies that fight disease, lowering the chances of the child developing conditions like asthma and allergies, to offering higher quantities of nutrients essential to a newborn. (Lesiv, 8/8)
Los Angeles Times:
UC Irvine Needs Volunteers For Clinical Trials On Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most significant health challenge faced by our nation today, and California is home to more people with Alzheimer’s disease than any other state. California is also poised to make critical breakthroughs in solving the Alzheimer’s crisis. (Grill, 8/8)