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OBSERVER photo by Gregory Bacon The Chautauqua County Board of Health talks about the concerns of unvaccinated people for things like polio. Pictured from left: Board President Dr. Lillian Nee, Sherri Rather, Director of Public Health Christine Schuyler and Board Member Dr. Tariq Khan.
MAYVILLE — Vaccination hesitancy remains a local and national issue.
And it’s not just the Covid-19 vaccine either.
At a recent Chautauqua County Board of Health meeting, board members discussed the need for vaccines against things like polio and monkeypox.
There is one confirmed case of polio in Rockland County. Wastewater monitoring has shown polio in Rockland, Orange, Sullivan and Nassau counties, as well as in New York City.
“The unvaccinated Rockland County resident, who had paralytic polio, is evidence that the virus was contracted not internationally, but internationally.” Public Health Director Christine Schuyler explained. “One way to prevent this is to get vaccinated.”
Schuyler’s office has received calls from adults wanting to get vaccinated since polio was first reported in the state. “There is currently no recommendation for this polio, so payers are not paying for the disease.” She said.
Board of Health member Dr. Tariq Khan said he had spoken to the school’s superintendent about school-aged students who had not been vaccinated. “There are many families who homeschool because their children are partially vaccinated or not. The numbers are staggering.” He said he did not identify the number of students or the head of the school.
According to the state Department of Health website, immunizations for polio, diphtheria and tetanus, pertussis, varicella (chickenpox) and measles, mumps and rubella are required for children in day care and pre-K through 12th grade in New York State. . This includes all public, private and religious schools. A medical exemption is allowed when a child has a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the vaccine. There are no non-medical exemptions from school immunization requirements in the state.
Board of Health President Dr. Lillian Nye expressed her concern that there may be parents who have not immunized their children during the Covid-19 season and may find them before enrolling them in school. She pointed out how the Legislature rejected a $75,000 grant earlier this year to educate parents and others about the importance of vaccinations.
Khan believes that parents who want to vaccinate their children do; Parents who do not allow their children to receive vaccines are concerned.
County physician Dr. Robert Burke shared a story about a man he knew in college whose parents wouldn’t allow him to get vaccinated. While in college, the young man went on a mission trip to Mexico. He was paralyzed from the waist down on crutches for the rest of his life. he said.
Burke said it’s important for parents to realize the impact their decisions can have on their child’s life. “These parents think they’re really smart now. When the child turns 17, 18, 19 years old, they forget about the cell phone and go on a mission trip or someplace and come back with a ‘gift to give’. This is what you don’t understand.” he said.
Schuyler said there are segments of the Amish population that allow their children to be vaccinated, but some older residents still refuse to do so.
Monkey pox
Schuyler said his office had obtained a vaccine against monkeypox. She said they are reaching out to high-risk people to see if they are interested. That includes Jamestown Community College and SUNY Fredonia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control website, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men account for the majority of current cases of monkeypox. However, anyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, who has had close personal contact with a person with monkeypox is at risk.
Schuyler said that when a person contracts rabies, it can be spread through close contact, bedding, cloths and towels. “It’s important for people to ask their sex partners if they have a rash or symptoms, and to know who they’re in close contact with.” She said.
The county has had several people who have tested positive for monkeypox, but at this time, there are no positive cases in the county.
Khan pointed out how there is not enough vaccine for everyone at this time. Until we have an adequate supply of vaccines, we can all hold our collective breath and hope that monkeypox does not get out of hand. he said.
Schuyler pointed out how there is still a lot of mistrust among certain segments of the public about the vaccine.
She shared a story about a conversation she had with health officials, the government, or someone who said they didn’t believe what was being reported. “We’re not the only ones who have a lot of work to do. It has to come from health care providers and trusted leaders to help stop this.” Schuyler said.
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