News Releases > Health department promotes shots for tots as part of National Infant Immunization Week
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (April 25, 2011) – This is National Infant Immunization Week and public health officials are reminding parents about the importance of getting their young children vaccinated.
Each year, thousands of children become ill from diseases that could have been prevented by basic childhood immunizations. Countless more miss time from day care and school because they are under-immunized or inappropriately immunized.
During the week of April 23-30, 2011 the Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health will highlight “5 Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child” on its Web site, www.allencountyhealth.com. Allen County Health Commissioner Deborah McMahan, MD, will also discuss the importance of vaccinations on her weekly radio program Health 360 on Northeast Indiana Public Radio. The show airs Wednesday at noon on 89.1 FM.
“National Infant Immunization Week is a valuable opportunity for us to tell people about how important it is for children to be vaccinated,” McMahan says. "Vaccines are proven to be one the most successful and cost-effective public health tools we have for preventing disease and death.”
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Department of Health operates an Immunization Clinic for children and teens up to age 19. The Department offers 17 vaccines to protect against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. There is an administration fee of $8 per vaccine.
The clinic is located at the Department of Health’s Medical Annex at 4813 New Haven Ave. Parents can schedule an appointment by calling 260.449.7514.
Children who need routine immunizations can also check with their doctor or visit a Super Shot location. For a list of Super Shot locations, call 260.424.7468.
For more information about National Infant Immunization Week, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines or www.allencountyhealth.com.
Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child
· Immunizations can save your child’s life. Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical to protect them through immunization. Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States, and all of them will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
· Immunizations protect you and others you care about. Vaccine-preventable diseases still circulate in the United States and around the world, so continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks. Nationally, more than 20,000 cases of pertussis, or whooping cough, were reported in 2010. Sadly, there were 26 deaths reported, including 2 in Indiana, both less than 2 months of age.
· Immunizations protect future generations. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. One example is polio. Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.
· Immunizations are safe and effective. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved for public use and monitored carefully by doctors, researchers and public health officials.
· Immunizations can save your family time and money. By preventing disease, vaccines also reduce the costs associated with missed time from work, doctor visits and hospitalizations.
Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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