KERN COUNTY: Immunization Program On Track
Kern County Health Department officials say an immunization tracking program started in 1996 "to increase immunization numbers historically low in Kern ... is working well," the Bakersfield Californian reports. Dr. B.A. Jinadu, the department's director, said, "About 9,500 Kern County children already are in the program, which works mainly by following youngsters from birth through the immunization process." Since the program started, "3,535 children younger than 23 months old have been tracked," and "[a]nother 5,965 children were funneled into the system by health professionals and child-serving organizations." However, the Californian notes that the "total population of children in Kern County hasn't been determined," which makes it impossible to tell what percentage of children are receiving immunizations, according to health department officials.
Looking Ahead
The Californian reports that Kern County "has continuously been awarded state funds to improve immunization numbers." Overall, state and local officials "want 90% of all children immunized" by 2000. Kern County's immunization hotline can be reached at (805) 323-4467 (3/24).