The Pennsylvania Department of Health is marking World Immunization Week by reminding residents about the importance of being up to date with their vaccinations.
Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine says it’s not only important for children to be up to date with their vaccinations, but adults as well. Adults need to get the tetanus vaccine every 10 years, and seniors need to get the pneumonia and shingles vaccines.
Dr. Levine says the health department also wants to reassure Pennsylvanians that vaccines are safe. She says misinformation about the measles vaccine has led to fewer children being vaccinated against the measles and to recent outbreaks in Washington and New York.
The state says there has been no confirmed cases of measles in PA this year. There were two confirmed cases in the state last year.
Levine points out that if a family is un-insured or under-insured, they can visit a state health center to receive childhood vaccinations for free.