ATHENS, Ohio -- Despite shortages for some vaccines, the Childhood Immunization Program department of Community Service Programs continues to provide routine child immunizations for children and teenagers up to age 18. The immunization program is sponsored by CSP, the Area Health Education Center, the Ohio Department of Health, the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health and county health departments. All immunizations are free of charge, regardless of insurance status.

CHIP serves up immunizations via CSP's Mobile Health Van, which travels throughout Athens and neighboring counties in Southeastern Ohio.

The van will make stops as follows:

• The Coolville Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Scioto County at Minford Elementary School Thursday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Portsmouth West Elementary School Tuesday, May 7, from noon to 8 p.m. and Wednesday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Trimble Elementary School in Jacksonville Thursday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Nelsonville's MacDonalds Friday, May 10, from 3 to 5 p.m.

National Infant Immunization Week (April 14 to 20) was a busy period for CSP as it provided immunization clinics at various local schools.

"We're totally committed to insuring children's good health through immunizations. Parents haven't seen the diseases we immunize against, and we're grateful for that, but in order to keep it that way, we need parents to be diligent in regards to seeing that their children are properly immunized," said Jan Johnson, CHIP coordinator.

In early April, immunizations continued as scheduled, but not all vaccines were available, said Lynn Smith, CHIP coordinator. For example, the second "insurance dose" of the measles/mumps/rubella vaccine was not available due to local shortages. However, the vaccine became available as of April 8, said Smith.

Also in short supply is the vaccine for diphtheria/tentanus/whooping cough (DTaP). Agencies have been requested by the Centers for Disease Control and its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to prioritize vaccinations accordingly. ACIP recommends that infants get the DTaP three times in the first six months of life, and five times overall. The fourth and fifth doses for infants may be delayed until shortages are alleviated, most likely by summer. When adequate amounts of the DTaP vaccine become available, steps will likely be taken to recall children who did not receive either the fourth or the fifth DTaP dose.

Nationally, the relatively new varicella vaccine also is in short supply. The vaccine, introduced in 1995, is credited for reducing the prevalence of chickenpox. ACIP has recommended children should get one dose of varicella vaccine between 12 and 18 months of age, or at any age after 18 months if they have never had chickenpox or the vaccine. People not vaccinated until 13 years of age or older are advised to get two doses, four to eight weeks apart.