WEST MILFORD The West Milford Health Dept. will sponsor a Family Immunization Update clinic, on Wednesday, June 28, 2005 from 4 to 8 p.m., in the West Milford Town Hall Court Room. This clinic is for adults and children over 7 years. The vaccines available to protect you against disease available at this clinic are: Chicken Pox $70 Hepatitis B - Adults $25 (per dose) Hepatitis B- Children $10 (per dose) Tetanus $20 Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis $35 MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) $40 Meningococcal Vaccine (Menimune) $90 The Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis are caused by bacteria. Tetanus enters the body through cuts or wounds and leads to death in 2 cases out of 10. Diphtheria and Pertussis are spread from person to person. Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat leading to breathing problems and heart failure. Pertussis (Whooping Cough ) causes coughing spells that can make it hard to breathe. It can lead to pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death. The Center for Disease Control recommends that everyone over age 11 should get a Pertussis with their Tetanus Booster for adequate protection. Meningococcal disease is the leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children 2 to 18 years old in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord and can be fatal. It is most common in college freshmen who live in dormitories, anyone who has a damaged or no spleen or any other immune system disorder. Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases. Measles virus causes rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever. It can lead to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage and death. Mumps virus causes fever, headache and swollen glands. It can lead to deafness, meningitis, painful of the testicles or ovaries, and rarely, death. Rubella (also called German Measles) virus causes rash, mild fever and arthritis. If a woman gets rubella while she is pregnant, she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects. Hepatitis B is spread through contact with the blood and body fluids of an infected person. The Hepatitis B virus can cause short-term illness that leads to: loss of appetite, tiredness, diarrhea and vomiting, jaundice and pain in muscles, joints and stomach. It can also cause long-term illness that leads to: liver damage or cancer and death. Everyone 18 years of age and younger should get a Hepatitis B vaccine and adults over 18 who are at risk. Call 973-728-2725 for an appointment as by June 19.