Vaccines for children offered Feb. 15 in Ogallala

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) will be offering Vaccines for Children on Thursday, Feb. 15 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at Prairie View Elementary School, Superintendent’s office.  Anyone six months and older are invited to get their flu or other vaccinations.  Walk-ins are welcome.

 One of the many vaccinations available at the clinic is Poliomyelitis, better known as polio vaccine.  The first dose is given at two months of age, second dose at four months and a third dose between ages six to 18 months.  

 According to WHO (World Health Organization): Polio is a highly infectious disease that can cause paralysis in a matter of hours. One in 200 infections leads to paralysis (usually in the legs) and between five to ten percent of persons paralyzed die when breathing muscles become immobilized.  Polio mainly affects children under five years of age.  There is NO CURE for polio but vaccine can prevent transmission.

 Polio cases have decreased by over ninety nine percent since 1988 as a result of the global effort to eradicate the disease.  More than 16 million people have been saved from paralysis and 1.5 million childhood deaths have been prevented.  In 1994, the WHO region of the Americas was certified polio-free.   

 Persons with no insurance or under-insured may qualify for the state funded vaccine.  Call the office for qualifications at 308-345-4223. Both state funded and private vaccines are available at this clinic.  Insurance billing and cash payment options are available to those who do not qualify for the free vaccine.

 Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins and Red Willow counties.  You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter or view our website at www.swhealth.ne.gov. Call 308-345-4223 or stop by the office at 404 West 10th Street in McCook.