Demand For Vaccine May Deplete Supply

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ State health officials are encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated for school as soon as possible. Officials say shortages of the chicken pox vaccine are possible.

Friday, August 3rd 2007, 8:35 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ State health officials are encouraging parents to have their children vaccinated for school as soon as possible. Officials say shortages of the chicken pox vaccine are possible.

Dorothy Cox, director of vaccine management for the state Health Department, says state officials are trying to stay ahead of the demand. But back-to-school immunizations could deplete the supply.

Under Oklahoma requirements, children must have had one dose of chicken pox vaccine or the disease itself before they can attend child care or school.

The federal Centers for Disease Control recommends two doses of the vaccine during childhood. Officials say that recommendation has contributed to the national shortage.

For more information about Immunizations in Oklahoma, click here.

Click here for additional information on KOTV.com about immunizations.