Love. Protect. Immunize.

Infant Immunization

In recognition of the significant role immunization plays in the health of our children, April 19-26, 2008, has been designated National Infant Immunization Week as well as Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA). During this week, hundreds of communities throughout the United States are expected to sponsor activities to emphasize the health benefits of timely vaccination and the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage. One message stressed during this week will be the need for an ongoing relationship between parents and their children's healthcare providers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages parents to talk to their child's doctor at any time if they have questions about vaccinations.

Infants and young children need to be vaccinated because the diseases prevented by vaccination can strike at an early age. Also, these diseases can be far more serious among infants or young children. For example, approximately 70% of children under 6 months of age who get whooping cough (pertussis) must be hospitalized, and this age group accounts for about 94% of all deaths from the disease.

Today, we can protect children younger than two years old from 14 serious diseases, including:

Find out if your child is due for a vaccination. If he or she needs shots, call their healthcare provider or your local health department to make an immunization appointment. If you go to a private doctor, your child's vaccinations might be covered by your health insurance. If not, a program called "Vaccines for Children" (VFC) provides vaccines at no cost for children who are enrolled in Medicaid, don't have health insurance, or who are American Indian or Alaska Native. (You may have to pay a small fee for the nurse to give the vaccination.) If you need help finding a vaccination provider in your community, call your local health department or the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).

Immunization Questions?

• Talk with your child's healthcare provider or call the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636).
• Visit the Web site of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
• Review the Parent's Guide to Childhood Immunizations.