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Date: Wednesday, July 23, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Kharfen (202)401-9215
HHS Launches New Effort to Increase
Childhood Immunization through
Proposed Child Care Rule
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today
announced proposed child care regulations which include a new approach
for increasing immunizations of young children. The new immunization
initiative is contained in the notice of the proposed rule for the newly
created Child Care and Development
Fund (CCDF).
"HHS is committed to a comprehensive
approach on behalf of our children's health," said Secretary Shalala.
"Today's proposed rules for the new child care program provide one more
avenue for ensuring that children get all their vaccinations on time."
In spite of substantial progress in childhood
immunization, with 90 percent of children having received the most critical
vaccines by age 2, nearly a million two-year-olds are still not fully
immunized. By age 2, when children should have received most of their
vaccines, more than 20 percent of American children are not fully protected
against all preventable childhood diseases.
The proposed rule mandates that all children
receiving CCDF-funded services be immunized according to standards set
by the state health department or an equivalent agency for non-state
grantees. This requirement would apply to all child care providers but,
in particular, would reach children in legal care that may be exempt
from state licensing.
Since such a large percentage of children
receiving child care assistance are under 5 years of age, the immunization
requirement should have a positive impact in preventing the incidence
of infectious diseases among preschool age children.
The proposed regulations will help guide
states in the implementation of the new unified child care program included
in the new welfare law signed by President Clinton in August 1996. The
CCDF rule provides states with the flexibility they need to assist needy
families, including families making the transition from welfare to work,
and to implement policies which promote child care quality.
Another feature of the proposed regulation
is its requirement for child care administrating agencies to coordinate
care with public health, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, employment,
and education agencies to expand child care opportunities and support
efforts to enhance quality.
The rule was published in today's Federal
Register. Written comments and suggestions received during the 60-day
comment period are encouraged. Comments can also be made on the internet
at http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/hypernews/.
Comments received from state child care agencies will be posted on the
web site as a service to the public.
Note: HHS press releases are available
on the World Wide Web at: http://www.dhhs.gov/news/press/.
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