On Air: Fukuoka City Information/2012.8.24(Fri)/11:00～

Here is information from Fukuoka City.

Until recently, polio vaccinations have used activated polio vaccine. As of September 1st, inactivated vaccine will be used instead, and use of the activated vaccine will be stopped.

Children between 3 months of age and 7 years 5 months of age can receive vaccination free of charge. The inactivated vaccine must be received a total of 4 times, and in principle is received 3 times when a child is between 3 and 12 months old, leaving a period of 20 to 56 days between vaccinations. The 4th and final dose is received between 12 to 18 months after the 3rd dose.

Please be aware that the vaccination schedule for those who have already received one vaccination using the activated strain of the vaccine, or for those who have previously received between 1 to 3 vaccinations using the inactivated strain, will vary. Please consult with your regular doctor

Also, the 4th dose of vaccination is not free and is optional. After verifying the patient's data, it will be approved as a regularly offered vaccination. In addition, the method of vaccination will also be changing. Until now, polio vaccine has been offered at the Health and Welfare Centers in each ward two times a year, every spring and fall, and has been administered as a group vaccination. From now on, Fukuoka City will carry out vaccinations at city-designated medical institutions, offering the vaccinations on an individual basis, and will be available, in principle, Monday through Friday. Please be sure to make an appointment with Medical institution prior to your visit if vaccination is needed.

Children should be vaccinated when they are in good health. Please take your child’s temperature just before you visit Medical institution for vaccination, and please be sure to bring the child’s Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi Kenkou Techou in Japanese) as well as their Record of Vaccination (Yobou Sesshu Techou in Japanese). Children must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.

You can find further information on line at the Fukuoka International Foundation’s homepage in the “Children’s Preventive Vaccinations in Fukuoka City” section. The address is, www.rainbowfia.or.jp/foreigner. 

That was information from Fukuoka City.