GOVERNOR LINGLE JOINS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERS TO PROMOTE STATEWIDE IMMUNIZATION PROJECT

For Immediate Release: June 24, 2003

HONOLULU - Governor Linda Lingle today joined health care providers, public health officials, parents, and community organizations to promote a cooperative effort to raise awareness of the importance of immunization for all Hawai`i keiki.

During the early 1990s, Hawai`i enjoyed relatively high vaccination coverage rates; however,

Since 1999, the percent of two-year-olds who are fully immunized has dropped significantly.  One out of three Hawai`i two-year-olds might not be protected from dangerous diseases like measles, chickenpox, whooping cough, and hepatitis B, because they did not receive the appropriate vaccinations.  With the declining immunization rates, Tthe consequences of even one infant becoming ill and causing an outbreak of a vaccine-preventable-disease are devastating,could be devastating.

Last year, community health leaders met at Washington Place to address infant immunization in Hawai`i.  Focusing on infants ages 19-35 months, the grouphow to worked to define and develop determine which strategies to increase Hawai`i’s infant immunization rates. 

A major goal that emerged from this work was to improve education and awareness about the importance of infant and toddler vaccinations.  To that end, extensive public health messages on television and radio, as well as partnerships between the Department of Health, local businesses, and health care providers, have been developed and initiated and will continue through 2004.

“I commend our Department of Health for bringing together a collaboration of the public and private sector to bring about these educational efforts,” said Governor Lingle.  “Protecting our children and our communities from preventable diseases is a priority for all Hawai`i residents, and I ask every parent or caregiver to make sure their keiki is immunized.”

For more information about infant immunization visit www.vaxhawaii.com or contact the Department of Health at 586-8332.  Neighbor island callers may call toll-free 1-800-933-4832.

Free or low-cost shots for keiki are available for any family without insurance.  For more information about clinics in your neighborhood, please call Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1.  Calls are free from all islands, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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For more information contact:

For more information, contact:
Dr. Chiyome Fukino
Director, Department of Health
Phone: 586-4410

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: 586-7705

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations  
Phone: 586-0043