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March 5, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Insured Children in Rural Areas Having a Hard Time Getting PCV7"

Infectious Diseases in Children (www.idinchildren.com) (02/03) Vol. 16, No. 2, P. 18; Bechtel, Bryan

Many children with health insurance in rural areas cannot receive the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) because their local doctors do not offer the product due to cost concerns.  A doctor would have to invest $15,000 to dole out $5,000 worth of vaccine.  Insured children are not eligible for government supplies through the Vaccine for Children program. Pediatrician Stan Block says that parents' only option is paying between $250 and $300 for each child to be vaccinated at a more distant location. Because PCV7 vaccination is not a legal requirement, Block reports that many rural doctors incorrectly tell parents their children are fully vaccinated.  The Wyeth vaccine is effective in preventing invasive pneumococcal disease, pneumonia, and otitis media.

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ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE.  THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.