xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> “Outbreak Surprises Parents”

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

http://www.immunizationinfo.org/

“Outbreak Surprises Parents”

Hartford Courant (www.ctnow.com) (12/04/01) P. B3; Spencer, Mark

In Connecticut, an outbreak of chickenpox has surprised a lot of parents because their children had been immunized against the disease.  Mel Chafetz, principal of the Spaulding and Bridge Street schools, said that 35 cases of chickenpox have so far been reported to the schools by parents.  The principal added that the outbreak is the largest he has seen in his 17-year career.  School officials and state health officials said they are keeping an eye on the situation, but they noted that there is no reason for parents to be alarmed.  Vincent Sacco, the program manager for the Connecticut Department of Health’s immunization department, also pointed out that the chickenpox vaccine is normally 85 percent to 95 percent effective, and that if a vaccinated child does get the disease, it is generally a very mild case.  Since 2000, Connecticut has required all students entering preschool, kindergarten, and seventh grade to show proof that they are immune to the chickenpox virus.  Since the beginning of this year, Connecticut has also mandated that all cases of chickenpox in Connecticut be reported to the department of health.

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