PUBLIC MARKS from Newspartnergroup with tags parents & health

The decision by the Public Health Council will make New Jersey the first state to require annual shots for influenza and bacterial (pneumococcal) pneumonia for infants and toddlers. For sixth-graders, the state also will mandate a meningitis vaccination and a booster for diphtheria/pertussis/ tetanus, or DPT.

Federal health advisers have recently warned that over-the-counter cough and cold medicines shouldn't be used in children younger than 6, and manufacturers are taking some products for babies off the market. A teaspoon of honey before bed seems to calm children's coughs and help them sleep better.

Kids' characters including 'Doctor Who,' 'Spider-Man' and 'Barbie' are being used by food companies to sell products laced with suspect additives. It was found that chemicals identified as causing hyperactive behaviour in healthy children were present in 95 per cent of top-selling cakes and hundreds of sweets, fizzy drinks and processed foods.