Announcements in the April 1st Issue

From April 1st, Children Can Get a “Combination Vaccine” That Protects Against 5 Different Diseases

This “combination vaccine” is a 4-disease combination vaccine that protects against diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and polio, combined with a Hib vaccine.  The vaccine is free.

Who is Eligible:  Children between 2 months old and 7 years, 6 months old who have not received the 4-disease combination vaccine (for diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and polio) or the Hib vaccine.

To be properly immunized against the diseases, children must receive the vaccination shots at specific intervals and for a certain number of times.  Please be careful that they receive the correct number of shots for their vaccinations.  You can see more details on the Akashi City website.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact Akashi City’s “Children’s Health Department.”  Their phone number is 078-918-5656.  Their fax number is 078-918-6384.

Women Who Want to Have Children (Along with Their Families) Can Get an Antibody Test and Vaccination for Rubella

The people who are eligible for this program are those who have not used it yet, and who match the criteria for either ○1 or ○2 below.

○1  Women who want to have children, or their family (so long as they live in the same house).

○2  Women who are pregnant, or their family (so long as they live in the same house).

You can get the antibody test at clinics and hospitals approved by Akashi City.  The city will send you coupons to get the antibody test for free, and along with these coupons will be documents with a list of approved clinics and hospitals.

The steps to take the antibody test are as follows:

○1  Apply for coupons to get the test for free.

You can apply  at the Akashi City website, the Disease Prevention Department help desk, over the phone, or by mail.

○2  Make a reservation at the clinic or hospital you want to use.  When you go to the clinic/hospital, please bring the test coupons as well as anything else that might be required.

If you take the antibody test mentioned above and get a negative result (in other words, the results find that your body does not have any antibodies for the rubella virus), then please make an effort to get the rubella vaccination.  This vaccination will cost money, but if you apply by following the information written below, you can receive a support payment from Akashi City.  The support payment will be either the cost of the vaccination or 5,000 yen, whichever number is lower.

○1  Please make a reservation for a rubella vaccination at a clinic or hospital.  This does not have to be a clinic or hospital approved by Akashi City.

○2  When you go to receive the vaccination, please bring the documents that show the results of your antibody test (the test mentioned above).

○3  When you receive your vaccination, please pay at the clinic or hospital.

○4  Please apply to Akashi City to receive the support payment.  The payment will be made to a bank account that you choose.  For more details, please check the Akashi City website.

If you have any questions about this article, please contact the Disease Prevention Department.

Their phone number is 078-918-5668.  Their fax number is 078-918-5584.