NEWS RELEASE
May 1, 1997

Oakland County Immunization Rate at 82%

Governor John Engler today praised the Oakland County Health Division for their childhood immunization rates. The results of a Michigan Department of Community Health survey show that immunization levels for 19 to 35 month old children in Oakland county are now 82.7%. Michigan's statewide immunization level for two-year-olds is 74.1%, which is an increase of 13 percentage points from 1994 and 32 percentage points from 1991. The national immunization rate for children is 75%

"This is outstanding news in our efforts to protect children from dangerous diseases. I am proud to recognize the achievements of the Oakland County Health Division and others who vaccinate children. They have shown us all that they are making a difference in the lives of our children," said Engler.

"Due to the combined efforts of the Immunization Action Program, Oakland County Health Division staff, and area immunization providers, Oakland County's children are being protected from life threatening diseases," said Rosemarie Rowney, Oakland County Health Division Manager. "Volunteers, community organizations such as Rotary and Kiwanis, area merchants such as McDonald's, Target and Felice's Valuland and several Oakland County school districts have also played key roles in raising immunization levels in Oakland County."

"This is one more example of solid community cooperation to improve the health of Oakland County's youngest residents," said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson.

Southeast Michigan is the first region of the state to go on line with the Michigan Childhood Immunization Registry. The registry will greatly assist in increasing the number of children who are immunized against diseases such as measles, mumps and whooping cough. Michigan is the first in the nation to implement a comprehensive statewide registry, accessible to all providers in both the public and private sectors. The Registry went on line in Southeast Michigan on April 1, 1997.

"With the continued grass roots efforts of the Oakland County Health Division combined with the Immunization Registry, we've sets our sights on achieving and maintaining a goal of full immunization protection for 100% of our youngest children," said Michigan Department of Community Health Director James K. Haveman, Jr.

Oakland County Health Division immunization clinics are open Monday 12:00 noon - 7:30 pm and Tuesday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at all three Health Division offices located at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac, 27725 Greenfield Road in Southfield and 1010 E. West Maple in Walled Lake. Immunizations are also available for WIC clients at Oakland Pointe, 250 Elizabeth Lake Road in Pontiac. For more information about free immunizations and outreach clinics in Oakland County, please call (810) 858-1767.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT: Geralyn Lasher

May 1, 1997 (517) 241-2112