Keeping up with Immunizations

Horizons in Hemophilia, January 2011 

By Rueleen Kapsch, R.N., Camp Wannaklot Lead Nurse

With so many accounts of outbreaks of various communicable diseases in the community, health care providers are increasingly  more aware of the need to keep up with immunizations and the need to provide those records for schools, camps and physician’s offices.  Changes in health insurance coverage may mean a change in pediatricians or family physicians, or loss of job may mean that some are not covered by health insurance.  Health departments often fill the gap for immunizations and other basic health care when private insurance is not an option.  Having all immunization records in one place, that comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), can help us all stay healthier and help busy parents keep up with their family’s immunization records.

In preparation for Camp Wannaklot 2011, I read about GRITS,--Georgia Registry of Immunization Transactions and Services.  It is part of the National Healthy People 2010 goal. GRITS is the state’s birth-to-death immunization registry designed to collect and maintain accurate, complete and current immunization records in compliance with Georgia law (OCGA 31-12-3.1) and national standards. You can visit the website, www.health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization, for more information or to register for the program which can help remind you when immunizations are due.

School-age children come to Camp Wannaklot and live in close proximity with many other people during camp. One of Hemophilia of Georgia’s goals is to make camp a safe and happy place to be, not only for campers, but for counselors, camp staff and health care providers as well.  We can all prevent exposure to a communicable disease by making sure that we and our children are immunized.  Please be prepared to provide a copy of your child’s immunization records as you submit other forms in preparation for camp.