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Currier said health departments across the state are providing immunizations for a host of diseases, such as chicken pox, measles, mumps and tetanus. Immunizations are also being provided for human papillomavirus (HPV) for pre-adolescent girls and haemophilus influenzae Type B meningitis, which was once the leading cause of acquired mental retardation in the country, Currier said.
"Vaccines for children are very important," Currier said. "It's one of the best things you can do for your child to prevent disease."
Currier pointed out that the immunizations offered this week are a good way for school children to meet state vaccination requirements.
"In Mississippi, the law requires particular vaccines for school entry," she said. "Having kids required to be vaccinated prior to school entry protects those in school who cannot be vaccinated because of medical problems. It makes it basically so diseases have a harder time getting to them because the people surrounding them are protected."
Despite the reluctance of some parents to have their children vaccinated, Currier stressed that childhood immunizations are required by law and only certain criteria allow children to avoid them.
"The law says the only way to be exempt from vaccines is to have a medical exemption - some medical condition that makes it dangerous for a child to receive vaccines," Currier said.
Friday will be the last day that children can be vaccinated free of charge.
Vaccinations are being carried out during normal health department operating hours. For more information, interested people may visit www.healthyms.com to view the Mississippi Department of Health Web site.
The free immunizations are being funded by several grants and state funding sources, including the federal program Vaccines for Children.
