Created on Thursday, 10 April 2008 08:26
Contact: Collette DuValle, 317-373-2391
The Time Is Now to Make Certain Infants and Children Have All of Their Needed Immunizations
The Marion County Health Department is joining health care organizations around the country in bringing attention to the importance of infant immunizations during National Infant Immunization Week, April 19-26.
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance highlighting the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrating the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities.
“Vaccines help provide a level of protection that will enhance good infant health and create a foundation of protection that will carry through adulthood,” said Dr. Virginia A. Caine, Director, Marion County Health Department. “It is important that parents make certain their infant is up-to-date on immunizations,” said Dr. Caine.
Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases and that is why it is important to protect them through immunizations. Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
Infant vaccine provides other benefits, including:
- Vaccines help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.
- Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases.
- Vaccine-preventable diseases still exist and continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks.
- Immunizations are extremely safe. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved for public use and monitored carefully by doctors, researchers, and public health officials.
The Marion County Health Department offers vaccinations for infants. For more information, please contact the health department at (317) 221-2122.
Health Department’s Immunization Program Earns National Recognition
The Marion County Health Department’s commitment to increase child immunization rates were recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during the 42nd annual National Immunization Conference held in Atlanta earlier this month (March).
The health department was recognized for increasing the vaccination series rate for children ages 19 to 35 months by 10 percent between 2003 and 2006.
“We are pleased the CDC has recognized the efforts of the health department and all local agencies that provide immunizations to our children. Our goal is to work collaboratively with our partners to make certain our children have all age appropriate vaccinations,” said Dr. Virginia A. Caine, director, Marion County Health Department.
