Family Health

March 6, 2024: Public Health Update for grades K-12/Schools; Multiple U.S. Measles Cases in Unvaccinated Persons Without International Travel
March 1, 2024: Measles Alert Flyer

Vaccinations protect you and those around you from serious diseases. All parents and guardians should make sure that they and their children are up-to-dates on vaccines. Updated regulations for school admissions require schools to more closely scrutinize children’s immunization records, and could result in children not being allowed to start or continue in school if immunizations are not current. Pregnant women should speak to their healthcare provider about vaccinations that can protect them and their baby from illnesses like whooping cough and flu. Breastfeeding also helps protect newborns before they are old enough to be fully vaccinated since breastfeeding passes along antibodies that provide short-term protection for babies until they are ready for their own vaccines.

Childhood and Adult Vaccination Clinics
The Westchester County Department of Health offers no-cost Immunization Clinics for those who don’t have health insurance that covers the cost of vaccines. All recommended childhood vaccines, as well as several adult vaccines, are available. Call 914-995-5800 to schedule an appointment at one of our clinics in White Plains or Yonkers. If you are not eligible for vaccinations through our clinics, you can receive them through pharmacies, as well as public and private health care providers. View the current Center for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended immunization schedules.

COVID Vaccinations
COVID vaccinations are recommended for everyone six months and older to protect against serious illness. We are now offering the updated monovalent COVID vaccine at our Health Department immunization clinics to children eligible for the Vaccines for Children program and adults who are not insured or are underinsured through the Bridge Access Program. If you meet this criteria, you can make an appointment at one of our clinics by calling (914) 995-5800.

If you have health insurance, you are able to get the updated COVID vaccine at places where you would normally go to get vaccines, such as at pharmacies and medical provider offices. Use the Vaccine Finder Tool to schedule a COVID vaccine near you. 

Need Health Insurance?
Health Navigators available through the Health Department can help families and individuals sign up for the health insurance they need. If you would like assistance with enrolling in a health insurance plan that fits your needs and budget, contact our Health Insurance Navigator Program for free help at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (914) 995-6350, between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Vaccination Groups

• Babies and Children (birth to 6 years old)
• Adolescents (7-18 years old)
• Adults (19 and older)
• School Immunizations
• Travel Vaccination
• Flu Vaccine

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. In the US, over 25 million people suffer from asthma. About 7 million of these people are children.

Asthma is a disease that causes severe attacks of wheezing and coughing. Although asthma cannot always be prevented, it can be controlled with the right medicine and information.

Signs of Asthma
If your child has any of the following problems, he or she may have asthma.

• Wheezing that begins suddenly, may be worse at night or in early morning or may get worse when exposed to cold air
• Coughing
• Chest tightness or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Excess mucus

Other symptoms that are sometimes linked with asthma may include stuffy or runny nose, sinus problems or nasal polyps (growths inside the nose).

Asthma Triggers
Everyday life is filled with the allergens that can kick off an asthma attack. Some of the more common factors or triggers are:

• Allergic reactions from pollens, feathers, molds, animals, some foods, house dust   
• Emotional stress/excitement, fear or laughter
• Vigorous exercise, especially when it leads to overexertion or in cold weather
• Cold air, wind, rain or sudden changes in the weather
• Occupational dusts and vapors
• Air pollution. Look at today's air quality maps to see the levels of air pollution in your area.
• Sleep (nocturnal asthma)

Diagnosing and Treating Asthma
Diagnosing asthma is based on a physical examination and a personal history. The personal history will include any history of breathing problems you may have had, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, eczema or other lung disease. It is important that you describe your symptoms in detail (coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness), including when and how often these have been occurring.

A physical examination looks for signs of wheezing, shortness of breath, or coughing. Tests such as chest x-rays and pulmonary function tests may be done to confirm your diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with asthma, you can avoid having an attack by taking your medicine exactly as your doctor says and by avoiding your asthma triggers. Creating your own Asthma Action Plan can help manage you or your child’s asthma in a way that best works for you!

Allergies
The most common allergic conditions:

• Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) describes the lining of the nose when it becomes inflamed (red and swollen). People with this condition usually complain of an itchy, stuffy or drippy nose, a scratchy throat, and coughing. Persistent sneezing, coughing, and an itchy throat may be signs of allergic rhinitis.
• Allergic Conjunctivitis is an allergic reaction on the surface of the eyes and eyelids caused by allergens. Itching is the most common symptom although other symptoms include redness, tearing, swelling, burning or a sensation of fullness in the eyes or eyelids, an urge to rub the eyes, sensitivity to light and occasionally blurred vision.
• Urticaria (hives) is the medical word for hives. Hives, or "wheals", are pale red swellings of skin that occur in groups on any part of the skin. Each hive lasts a few hours before fading without a trace. New areas may develop as old areas fade. They can vary in size from as small as a pencil eraser to as large as a dinner plate and may join together to form larger swellings. Hives usually are itchy, but may also burn or sting.
• Atopic Dermatitis (eczema) is a chronic skin disorder categorized by scaly and itching rashes. People with eczema often have a family history of allergic conditions like asthma, hay fever or eczema.
• Allergens are substances that normally cause allergies, such as pollen from grasses, trees, and weeds, animal dander, dust mites, cockroaches, air pollutants (dust, smog, tobacco smoke, wood smoke), strong sprays from perfumes, paints, household cleaners, talcum powder and chalk dust.

Resources:

• Basic facts about Asthma (CDC)
• Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA)

The Health Department has assumed a supportive role, in collaboration with school districts, to assist families of children with special needs to access services in community settings along with their non-disabled peers.

The Health Department works in partnership with the State Department of Education and its Regional Staff by offering guidance and clarification to the Committees on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) and service providers regarding preschool New York State Education Department Regulations.

Program Highlights
The Preschool Special Education Program (PEP) serves preschoolers aged three to five residing in Westchester County who have been found eligible to receive special education services through their school districts Committee on Preschool Special Education.

In addition to acting as a fiscal agent, the Health Department serves as a resource for parents, school districts and professionals to help them participate as full partners in the child's educational process.

The Municipality is also responsible for maintaining lists of available service providers approved by the County and by the State Department of Education for both related services and preschool special education programs.

Preschool Education Program Services
The Preschool Education Program is available to help parents of children found eligible to receive special education services and school districts access support services to address a child's special needs.

Special education services and programs may include specially designed instruction and/or services which may include

• Speech therapy
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Special Education
• Special Class
• Nursing Services
• Counseling Services

SEIS Program
In addition, the County of Westchester runs a Special Education Itinerant Services Program (SEIS) which is a 4410 Approved preschool education program that provides special education itinerant teacher services in NY state certified teachers of special education. The program is monitored by the NY State Education Department Special Education Quality Assurance (SEQA) for compliance with federal and state rules and regulation to operate the program. 

Eligibility
Eligibility is determined in accordance with New York State Department of Education standards. Contact your local school district to arrange to have your child's needs assessed by an approved New York State Education Department evaluator. Evaluations are available at no cost to the family.

Program/Service Cost
A preschool child who has been found to have special needs will receive services at no cost to the family.

Contact
To request additional information regarding preschool services please call the Westchester County Department of Health, Bureau of Children with Special Needs at (914) 813-5080 or (914) 813-5090.

Other Resources

• NY Administered PreKindergarten Fast Facts 
• The Early Childhood Directions Center, (914) 493-1709
• NYS Education Department Regional Office, (914) 940-2900
• NYS Education Department/Office of Special Education

Young children learn and develop differently.  One baby may walk earlier than another, while another baby might talk first. Often, these differences will even out. But, some children will need extra help.

Look for signs that your infant or toddler might need extra help. Early help makes a difference! If your child does have a problem, the earlier you get help, the better.

At three months of age, most babies:

• turn their heads towards bright colors and lights
• move both eyes in the same direction together
• recognize bottle or breast
• respond to their mother's voice
• make cooing sounds
• bring their hands together
• wiggle and kick with arms and legs
• lift head when on stomach
• become quiet in response to sound, especially speech smile

At six months of age, most babies:

• follow moving objects with their eyes
• turn toward the source of normal sound
• reach for objects and pick them up
• switch toys from one hand to the other
• play with their toes
• help hold the bottle during feeding
• recognize familiar faces
• imitate speech sounds
• respond to soft sounds, especially talking
• roll over

At twelve months of age, most babies:

• get to a sitting position
• pull to a standing position
• stand briefly with out support
• crawl
• imitate adults using a cup or telephone
• play peek-a-boo and patty cake
• wave bye-bye
• put objects in a container
• say at least one word
• make "ma-ma" or "da-da" sounds

At 1 1/2 years of  age, most babies:

• Like to push and pull objects
• say at least 6 words
• follow simple directions ("Bring the ball")
• pull off shoes, socks and mittens
• can point to a picture that you name in a book
• feed themselves
• make marks on paper with crayons
• walk without help
• walk backwards
• point, make sounds or try to use words to ask for things
• say "no," shake their head or push away things they don't want

At two years of age, most babies:

• use two-to-three word sentences
• say about 50 words
• recognize familiar pictures
• kick a ball forward
• feed themselves with a spoon
• demand a lot of your attention
• turn 2-3 pages at a time
• like to imitate their parent
• identify hair, eyes, ears and nose by pointing
• build a tower of four blocks
• show affection

At three years of age, most babies:

• throw a ball overhand
• ride a tricycle
• put on their shoes
• open the door
• turn one page at a time
• play with other children for a few minutes
• repeat common rhymes
• use three-to-five word sentences
• name at least one color correctly

Other Resources:
A Parent's Guide for Children with Special Needs - Birth to Age Three (NYSDOH)