Editorial: Needed: A shot in the arm

Sunday, Sept. 17, 2006 | 7:22 a.m.

Immunizations have eliminated the once-dreaded polio virus and have greatly reduced the chances of children getting sick from measles, mumps, diphtheria, hepatitis B and other illnesses. But in Clark County, many children are going without immunizations and the chief health officer here says the problem can be traced to insufficient state funding.

Statewide the goal is for 80 percent of all children between 19 months and 35 months to receive vaccinations. Outside of Clark County the goal is fairly close to being met, with 76 percent being vaccinated, according to the latest survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Clark County, however, according to the survey conducted last year, only 59 percent of the children are receiving their shots.

The 2005 National Immunization Survey - such surveys have been conducted annually since 1994 - was the first to include Clark County among the country's urban areas chosen for study.

The surveys are conducted by telephone calls to households with children, and are followed up by a form mailed to immunization providers.

Dr. Don Kwalick, chief health officer of the Southern Nevada Health District, which provides many of the area immunizations, said state funding is a major reason for Clark County's poor showing.

"The levels are so low because we really don't have the resources to get the word to the community at large and get the at-risk kids from zero to 3 years old immunized to the recommended levels," he said.

Kwalick said state funding amounts to only about 4 percent of his budget, while local health departments outside Nevada receive state funding amounting to 20 percent to 50 percent of their budgets.

If Kwalick is right in linking Clark County's low vaccination rate with insufficient state funding, Nevada is playing with fire. The 2007 Legislature should take testimony from Kwalick and ensure that enough money is being provided to raise our immunization rate as far above 80 percent as possible.