When I was pregnant with my daughter last year, my OB/GYN recommended that I receive the pertussis, or “whooping cough” vaccine right after delivery. Hearing the words “whooping cough,” made me think of polio or smallpox, diseases that had been eliminated in the U.S. years ago.

Yet pertussis is a real threat, particularly in infants who not only have the greatest risk for contracting pertussis, but the most reported cases. in 2010, there were more than four thousand babies who were known to be infected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Plus, newborns younger than 2 months old, the age that the first vaccine is administered, are most likely to have complications like pneumonia, convulsions, even death. Sixty-three percent of babies under one year are hospitalized each year and 25 babies died from pertussis in 2010. And because some cases are undiagnosed or go unreported, experts agree these numbers may be even higher.

The reason that rates of pertussis have been on the rise in recent years and tend to peak every 3-5 years is because of a waning of immunity, according to Dr. Thomas Clark, a medical epidemiologist for the CDC.  The disease is very easily transmitted so if there’s a portion of the population that’s susceptible because they haven’t received the booster vaccine, which is recommended during the adolescent and adult years, then the bacteria will transmit more readily.

What To Look ForPertussis is a bacterial disease that causes severe fits of coughing—so severe, that it forces all the air out of the lungs and results in a “whoop” sound when the person is finally able to inhale. yet initially, symptoms may be similar to the common cold and include a mild cough or low-grade fever.  And in very young infants, whooping cough can cause apnea, or a pause in breathing, which is a sign of a very serious infection, according to Clark.  Babies often contract pertussis from someone in the home – mom, dad, or a caregiver, although they can also catch it in hospitals and daycare settings.

Protect Yourself and your BabyIf you’re pregnant, you should receive the pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) during the late second or third trimester, according to a revised recommendation by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued last year. Women who don’t receive it during pregnancy are urged to get it immediately after giving birth. Family members and caregivers should get vaccinated, too, and it’s important to keep your baby away from anyone who has cold or cough symptoms.

Babies should receive the pertussis vaccination series on time, starting at 2 months old, then at 4 and 6 months old and booster doses between 15 and 18 months and then between 4 and 6 years old. “Protection wanes actually pretty quickly,” according to Clark who says booster doses are important to ensure your child is protected.

Julie Revelant is a freelance writer specializing in parenting, health, and women’s issues and a mom. Learn more about Julie at revelantwriting.com

In recognition of Lyme Disease Awareness month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reminding Americans to learn about this common tickborne disease and take steps to protect themselves if they live in or visit areas with Lyme disease activity.

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vectorborne illness (or disease transmitted to humans by ticks, mosquitoes or fleas) in the United States, with nearly 30,000 confirmed cases reported in 2009. Between 1992 and 2009, the reported annual number of Lyme disease cases more than tripled, with children most at risk for the disease. Children are more at risk because they spend more time playing outdoors and in high grass or leaves, where the ticks that spread Lyme disease are found.

Lyme disease is transmitted to people through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. These ticks are most active during may through July, so it’s especially important that people living in affected regions take steps now to prevent Lyme disease when they go outside. About 95 percent of reported cases in 2009 were from just 12 states. In descending order of reported cases, they are: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Maryland, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Delaware, Maine and Virginia.

To prevent Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases, CDC recommends that people:

Avoid areas with high grass and leaf litter and walk in the center of trails when hiking.

Use repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours. Parents should apply repellent to children; the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends products with up to 30 percent DEET for kids. always follow product instructions!

Use products that contain permethrin to treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents or look for clothing pre-treated with permethrin.

Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors to wash off and more easily find crawling ticks before they bite you.

Conduct a full-body tick check using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body upon returning from tick-infested areas. Parents should help children check thoroughly for ticks. Remove any ticks right away.

Typical symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, headache, fatigue, and a large, expanding skin rash that may have a bull’s-eye appearance. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system. anyone who develops a fever or a rash after being bitten by a tick or spending time in tick-infested areas should seek prompt medical care. most patients with Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks’ of antibiotics, especially if treated early.

Lyme disease prevention begins with recognizing the risks and taking action. For more information on Lyme disease, please visit cdc.gov/Lyme.

Recall Insider for Health News

 Shots mandated for next school year

Friday, March 11, 2011

By Connor Ramey

Health department offering free immunizations at local campuses

next year students entering seven through 12 grades will need to get a new vaccination before they can start school, according to a new state law that goes into effect July 1. Every year after next year, all students entering the seventh grade will need to get the immunization.

The vaccination is a response to a large growth in pertussis, or whooping cough, cases in the past few years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. most recent numbers show that more than 17,000 cases of whooping cough were reported throughout the country in 2009, affecting mostly infants and teens.

In 2010, 10 infant deaths were reported in California, and state authorities declared it an epidemic. the state Assembly approved bill 354 last year to help prevent future deaths.

In San Benito County, eight cases were reported, an increase from one that was reported in 2008, county public nurse Allison Griffin said. two cases to infants have been reported in the county this year.

But the actual number could be much larger because of unreported cases, she said.

“A lot of these type of case are unreported because people don’t see their doctors,” Griffin said. “I’m sure there are more of them.”

Whooping cough symptoms include a runny nose, low-grade fever and rapid deep coughs that are followed by a high-pitched “whoop,” according to the CDC. the disease can lead to death if untreated because of exhaustion and the inability to breathe normally.

The bill makes the “Tdap” shot mandatory for every student entering the seventh grade. For one year only, all students from seventh to twelfth grade will need to take the shot to start school, San Benito County Director of Nursing Jeanne Melius said.

The “Tdap” is a vaccination that protects against whooping cough, tetanus and dipheria. It’s a continuation shot that toddlers are expected to get between ages four to six, Melius said.

To help parents give their children the vaccination, nurses from the county’s health department are making stops at each middle and high school in the county throughout the rest of the year.

Each school will give a release form to every parent to allow students to get their shots at school, Melius said. Students must bring back the release form to get the shots.

The vaccinations are free for low- income families and $17 for others.

From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday at 439 Fourth St. in Hollister, the health department will hold appointment-only vaccination clinics for families that wish to get the vaccination. Families are encouraged to get the vaccine from their primary care physicians, if it is available, before contacting the health department.

For more information contact the Public Health Division at 637-5367 or visit shotsforschool.org.

Connor Ramey Connor Ramey is a staff reporter. He can be reached at .

SAN DIEGO — A grand opening celebration was held Thursday as Rady Children’s Hospital opened the doors of its Autism Discovery Institute to the media.The $1 million, nearly 12,000-square foot facility is home to a state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment Center, five classrooms, a sensory motor gym and several viewing rooms where parents can watch their children through a one way mirror. The facility is designed to handle 90 children on an out-patient basis.”We’ve expanded our services so we can serve more families of children with autism. We have inclusion programs so that children with autism can learn to socially interact with their peers. We’re hoping to be a place where families can come as early as they have a concern,” said Aubyn Stahmerl, a research coordinator with the program.The institute will be home to a unique program that mixes children with autism with kids who don’t have developmental disorders.The institute is one of only three facilities in the United States and the only one in California.Niamul Khan has two daughters in the program and he said he’s pleased with their progress.”Both of us work and we don’t have time to give to our daughters. Also in the school environment, they’re getting the other kids so it’s good for socialization,” Khan said.Autism is on the rise across the U.S. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last year, one in 110 children were diagnosed with autism, a significant increase over previous years where the rate was one in 150.According to the CDC, children with autism handle information in their brain differently than most people, and have symptoms that vary in both nature and severity.The CDC says parents can detect possible autism in their children if they do not respond to their name by the time they are one year old, don’t point at objects to display interest by the time they are 14 months, and not play pretend games by the time they are 18 months old.Other symptoms include avoiding eye contact, wanting to be alone, having delayed speech and language skills, have obsessive interests or give answers unrelated to questions.A reliable diagnosis of autism can be made when a child is 2 years old, according to the CDC.The agency says about one in 110 children are afflicted with what they call Autism Spectrum Disorder, which includes autism, Asberger Syndrome — which does not affect intellectual development, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder — who meet some, but not all, of the criteria for the other conditions. The number of affected children is growing, according to the CDC.

The source for this column’s idea actually comes from a parent who, in exasperation, declared that his kids were driving him crazy. He then jokingly asking if there was a vaccine out there that can be used to eliminate Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (often referred to as ADHD).

Another parent actually had momentary thoughts of selling the kids to the highest bidder and even was willing to go with any bidder at all.

Obviously, these parents were joking as they continue to deal with the stresses of raising kids with ADHD. yet, the comments (despite their attempt at some humor) revealed the depths of distress these parents were experiencing. the problem is not small, either. in 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 4.5 million children ages 5 to 17 had been diagnosed with ADHD.

This disorder, in which the main behavioral themes include impatience, impulsivity, inattention to detail, difficulty concentrating and staying focused, forgetfulness, disorganization, being always on the go and so many more annoying traits, can wear out parents, siblings, grandparents and even teachers.

As one author noted, “The brutal reality about children — they’re such powerful stressors that small perforations in relationships can turn into deep fault lines.”

No doubt, the energy of married couples shifts when kids come into the world, and naturally so, but the shift can be disastrous at times. This can be especially true for single parents and even happily married couples when the added stressor is a child with ADHD.

Often the symptoms on first glance at a child’s behavior at home might be viewed by parents as mischievous and may elicit a command from mom or dad “I’m going to count to three” or “OK, you need to go to time-out.”

When school enters the picture, a teacher may begin to notice areas of concern, such as not paying attention, talking, frequent need to be redirected, always seeking attention and coming across as the class clown. Then come the notes from the teacher to mom and dad indicating that Johnny is not turning in homework assignments. the parents discover that what homework Johnny did attempt to complete wasn’t anywhere near what had been assigned. Next is a parent-teacher conference, in which the reality sinks in that the problems at home also are occurring at school.

But there could be an explanation, and referral for a complete assessment by the family physician, pediatrician and/or mental health professional just might reveal that the symptoms and behaviors meet the criteria for considering ADHD. once the diagnosis can be confirmed, medications can do wonders in helping bring about some stability and focus, plus some relief for mom and dad. with good medication management under the supervision of appropriate medical professionals, the light at the end of the tunnel can finally be visible.

The critical pieces include:

n Confirmation of the diagnosis, which then sets a course of action.

n Medication based on a well-developed social/medical history and documentation of symptoms and behaviors.

n Structure, with a routine established even through the summer, so transition from summer break to the rigors of school can be made with minimal stress.

n Constancy, with parents maintaining a routine of communication with the teacher who is in daily contact with the child.

Medications can be a real concern for parents, since stimulants are the most commonly prescribed. the medications in this class of drugs can create a tolerance that sometimes necessitates increasing the dosage, not at all unusual with kids who are in their rapid growth spurt. A visit to the health care professional always includes checking weight and height.

As one author noted, medications often can be a family affair; it’s not at all unusual for more than one person in the home to be on ADHD medicine. This even can include one of the parents.

Such medications are fast-acting, with onset within 30 to 60 minutes, peaking at one to two hours and lasting from two to five hours. Extended release preparations are helpful to reduce the need for school dosing. And, there are longer-acting amphetamines as well.

Sometimes stimulant medications do not work because patients do not tolerate them well. in such cases, there are other medications available. Often, the best source of help for the physician in determining dosing amounts and frequency comes from the person taking the medicine. We always seek our patients’ input on how they think they’re doing; this includes the children. the best source of information on these medications is your family physician, pediatrician, advance practice nurse or psychiatrist.

Don’t give up. with persistence and perseverance, most children will come to grips with the realities of their everyday life and recognize the importance of taking their medications.

Professionals who work with ADHD are available in our communities. Please don’t hesitate to contact someone when help is needed.

Mary Lou Petrisko is a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist and Cheryl Thomas is an advanced practice nurse with Mulberry Center Inc. Contact the organization at (812) 436-4221 or comments@south[SR]western.org.

Hospitals in Northwest Florida are seeing an uptick in flu cases.

Sacred Heart Health system reported an increase in influenza at its hospitals in the area. during the second week of January, 158 patients were tested for flu-like symptoms, with 14 percent receiving positive results for influenza, according to a press release.

?Many patients are not officially tested for flu when they have flu-like symptoms,? Donna Mayne, Microbiology Lab manager at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, said in the release. ?That means the actual number of people suffering from the influenza virus could be much greater than our percentages indicate.?

The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. in January or February. however, seasonal flu activity can occur as late as May.

This year, most of the flu cases seen in the U.S. have been due to a Type A virus called H3N2, according to the Sacred Heart release. this virulent virus tends to trigger more pneumonia and other complications.

The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season, according to cdc.gov.

There is still plenty of this year?s flu vaccine available, but those interested in getting it should do so right away since it takes about two weeks to take effect. The CDC recommends vaccine for most everyone, except infants younger than 6 months and people with severe allergies to eggs.

A person can spread the flu as early as one day before he or she even feels sick, and can continue to pass the flu virus to others for five to seven days after symptoms start. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. many, though not all, patients, have fever or chills and vomiting and diarrhea, cdc.gov says.

December 17, 2010 Cabell County reports five hepatitis A cases Advertiser

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — five people have contracted hepatitis A in eastern Cabell County, health officials said Friday.

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is investigating the possible source of the outbreak and is trying to identify others who came in contact with the five, which includes both adults and children, spokeswoman Elizabeth Ayers said.

Ayers said officials are working with the county school system because some of the children involved are students.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus found in the stool of an infected person.

The disease is spread by a lack of hand-washing after bathroom use, by touching items such as soiled diapers or linens, by sharing items such as eating utensils, cups, cigarettes and lip balm, or by eating food that may have become contaminated during handling.

Symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, fever, jaundice, dark urine and diarrhea.

There is a vaccine to prevent the disease but once contracted there is no treatment. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute liver failure from Hepatitis A is rare.

Ayers said the Health Department plans to have the vaccine available on Monday.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — five people have contracted hepatitis A in eastern Cabell County, health officials said Friday.

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department is investigating the possible source of the outbreak and is trying to identify others who came in contact with the five, which includes both adults and children, spokeswoman Elizabeth Ayers said.

Ayers said officials are working with the county school system because some of the children involved are students.

Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by a virus found in the stool of an infected person.

The disease is spread by a lack of hand-washing after bathroom use, by touching items such as soiled diapers or linens, by sharing items such as eating utensils, cups, cigarettes and lip balm, or by eating food that may have become contaminated during handling.

Symptoms can include stomach pain, nausea, fatigue, fever, jaundice, dark urine and diarrhea.

There is a vaccine to prevent the disease but once contracted there is no treatment. according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, acute liver failure from Hepatitis A is rare.

Ayers said the Health Department plans to have the vaccine available on Monday.

Press Release Source: Aetna on Friday August 13, 2010, 10:00 am EDT

HARTFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Childhood immunizations keep our children safe from a number of serious diseases. this is a good time of year to make sure your child is up-to-date on all of his/her immunizations. Continue reading to find out which vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 (CDC) recommend for children 6 and under.

In the United States, vaccines have eliminated or nearly eliminated many life-threatening diseases such as smallpox, polio and measles. By eliminating or decreasing the incidence of these and other diseases, immunizing children reduces hospitalizations and significantly decreases medical costs, including out-of-pocket expenses for families.

Recommended immunizations for children from birth through 6 years old

1) Hepatitis BHepatitis B can lead to acute and chronic liver disease as well as liver cancer. Contrary to popular belief, hepatitis B is not only spread through sexual contact or drug use. Infants born to mothers with hepatitis B infection are at highest risk of contracting the virus. in addition, the disease can be spread through routine close contact with people living in the same household, and some studies suggest that normal child-to-child play can also spread infection. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended as a series of three doses for all children. The CDC recommends that the first dose be given to all newborns at birth. The second and third doses should be given at 1 to 2 months, and 6 to 18 months.

2) Rotavirus (RV)Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children. Approximately 55,000 children in the United States are hospitalized each year from the severe diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus. The CDC recommends that children receive a set of three immunizations for rotavirus at 2 months, 4 months and 6 months.

3) Diphtheria/tetanus/pertussis (DTP/DTaP)The DTaP immunization helps protect children from three different types of harmful bacteria that can cause serious, potentially fatal diseases. These diseases include diphtheria, a contagious bacterial disease that affects the respiratory system; tetanus (lockjaw); and pertussis (whooping cough). The vaccine is recommended as a five-dose series: three doses given to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, followed by two additional booster doses at 15 to 18 months and at 4 to 6 years. Some regions in the United States are currently experiencing whooping cough outbreaks. Check with your doctor to see whether you are in a location with a higher risk of pertussis and schedule vaccinations for you and your children if your doctor says you are due.

4) Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)Hib disease causes potentially deadly meningitis, an infection around the spinal cord that can cause lifelong disability or mental retardation. Hib disease can also cause pneumonia and epiglottis, an infection in the throat, which can be life-threatening as well. Because of widespread use of the vaccine since the early 1990s, Hib disease has been almost eliminated in the United States. Hib is recommended as a four-dose series: three doses given to infants at 2, 4 and 6 months of age, followed by a booster dose at 12 to 15 months.

5) Pneumococcal disease – Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV)Pneumococcal disease is a bacterial infection that invades the lungs, causing one of the most common types of pneumonia. The bacteria can also cause serious infections in the blood (bacteremia) and coverings of the brain and spinal column (spinal meningitis), especially in young children. The CDC recommends that all children younger than 2 years of age receive the vaccine as a series of three doses given at 2, 4 and 6 months, and a fourth booster dose at 12 to 15 months.

6) Poliomyelitis – Inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV)Although polio has been eliminated in the United States thanks to widespread immunizations over the past 50 years, it still remains a serious threat in other parts of the world. International travelers can bring the disease into the United States, so it is still important to immunize all children. IPV is recommended as a four-dose series: three doses given to infants at 2, 4 and 6 to 18 months of age, followed by a fourth dose given at 4 to 6 years.

7) InfluenzaInfluenza (flu) can be serious for both children and adults, and can lead to hospitalization or death. The influenza vaccine is recommended every flu season for all adults and children 6 months of age or older. If this is the first time for flu vaccine, a child 6 months through 8 years of age should receive two doses, separated by at least 4 weeks. If this child only receives one dose in the first season, he or she should receive two doses the next season, if still younger than 9 years. Ask your child’s doctor if a second dose is needed.

Measles/mumps/rubella (MMR)The MMR vaccine has greatly reduced the number of cases of measles, mumps and rubella each year. Each of these diseases can have serious consequences. Measles can be life-threatening, and mumps can lead to brain infection (meningitis/encephalitis). in pregnant women, rubella can cause birth defects and mental retardation in unborn babies. MMR is recommended as a two-dose series: The first dose given to toddlers at 12 to 15 months, followed by the second dose at 4 to 6 years.

9) Varicella (chickenpox)Although chickenpox often is thought of as an annoying but harmless childhood disease, in some cases it can have serious complications such as pneumonia, brain swelling or death. The chickenpox vaccine is recommended for all children. Adults who did not have the disease as a child should be tested to see if they have evidence of naturally acquired protection (immunity). If not, vaccination is recommended for them as well because chickenpox can be even more serious in adults than in children. it is recommended that toddlers receive the varicella vaccine when they are between 12 to 15 months old and then again when they are 4 to 6 years old.

10) Hepatitis AHepatitis A is an infection of the liver caused by a virus and can be deadly. The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the vaccine between the ages of 12 and 23 months.

Also, remember – young children aren’t the only ones who need these vaccinations. Check with your doctor to make sure you and the rest of your family are up-to-date on all of your vaccinations as well. Keeping the entire family immunized against these preventable illnesses is a simple step you can take to help keep everyone in your household healthy.

For more information and tips on vaccinations, visit cdc.gov/vaccines/.

You don’t have to live with cataracts

August is also Cataract Awareness Month. Read on to find out about the symptoms of cataracts and ways to maintain healthy vision for life.

• Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the world.
• Close to 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts.
• By age 80, more than half of all Americans will have cataracts.2

Most cataracts develop as the body ages. after years of light reflecting off the lens of the eye, the lens hardens and becomes cloudy. this often results in dull, cloudy or blurred vision. Cataracts start out small and have little effect on vision at first. But as the cataract grows, it clouds more of the lens.

Cataract symptoms include:

• Painless clouded, blurry or dim vision
• Increasing difficulty seeing at night or in low light
• Sensitivity to light and glare, seeing halos around lights
• Colors seem faded or yellowed
• The need for brighter light for reading and other activities
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
• Double vision within one eye3

The only way to know for sure if you have cataracts is to visit your eye care professional for a dilated eye exam. it is recommended that patients start being screened for cataracts at age 40, when early signs of disease and changes in vision may start to occur. your doctor will let you know when to return for follow-up exams. Starting at age 65, you should start seeing your eye doctor every year because your risk for cataracts and other eye diseases increases as you get older.

How are cataracts treated?

Currently, there are no medications or exercises that will make cataracts disappear. If the cataracts are not severe and don’t interfere with your life, you and your doctor may decide surgery is not needed. If your vision is only slightly blurry, a change in your eyeglass prescription may help for a while. But when your vision does begin to interfere with your daily activities, cataracts can be treated surgically. Talk with your ophthalmologist about your options.

Cataract surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure and does not require an overnight stay. There are usually few restrictions after surgery, and you will be able to resume your normal activities almost immediately.

The most common procedure used for removing cataracts is called phacoemulsification. During this procedure, an eye surgeon removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant made of plastic, silicone or acrylic. this new lens allows light to pass through and focus on the retina. The IOL becomes a permanent part of your eye.4

Factors that increase the risk for cataracts:

• Advanced age
• Diabetes
• Family history
• Smoking
• Previous eye injury or inflammation
• Prolonged steroid use (especially combined use of oral and inhaled steroids)
• Extensive exposure to sunlight5

The American Academy of Ophthalmology.

For more information on cataract detection and treatment, visit nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp.

Product Corner: Spotlight on Aetna Vision SM Preferred

Aetna recently launched a new vision benefits product called Aetna VisionSM Preferred. Members of these new vision plans will have access to one of the largest vision networks in the country and can save an average of 40 percent off retail prices for routine eye exams and eyewear. Aetna Vision Preferred works like a medical benefits plan that includes member copays and allowances for exam services and corrective eyewear, while still extending negotiated discounts for non-covered products and services.

Aetna Vision Preferred members can receive the most cost-effective care when they visit one of the more than 40,000 participating vision providers across the country, including both independent eye doctors and optical retailers such as LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Target Optical®, Sears Optical and JCPenney Optical. Out-of-network benefits are included in all plans.

Aetna Vision Preferred plans are currently available to employers with 3,000 or more employees. Aetna expects to expand access to other customer segments later this year. The vision program can be customized with a wide range of benefit levels and copays. it can also be offered on a stand-alone basis or with other Aetna health plans.

For more information, visit aetna.com/news/newsReleases/2010/0506_Vision.html.

1 Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Immunization schedules. cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm#child

2 Online guide adapted from Don’t Lose Sight of Cataract (NIH Publication no. 94-3463) and Cataract: What You should Know (NIH Publication no. 03-201) National Eye Institute. nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp

3 Cataract Awareness. American Academy of Ophthalmology. aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/upload/August.pdf

4 Cataract Treatment. EMedicineHealth. emedicinehealth.com/cataracts/page7_em.htm

5 Cataract Awareness. American Academy of Ophthalmology. aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/upload/August.pdf