National Infant Immunization Week: April 25th to May 2nd
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 25th to May 2nd, Pinal County Public Health is joining with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to observe National Infant Immunization Week. This is part of a larger, national initiative to raise awareness about the importance of childhood immunizations.
“A fully vaccinated child is protected against 14 serious and sometimes deadly diseases,” said Tom Schryer, Pinal County Public Health Director. “These are diseases that are completely preventable with immunizations. We are urging all Pinal County families to ensure that their children are up to date on immunizations. Shots are free for children under the age of 18.”
A complete list of Clinic locations and hours is available on the Pinal County website at http://www.pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/PublicHealth/Pages/OfficeLocations.aspx. To make an appointment, please call 1-866-960-0633.
Facts about childhood immunizations:
Infants are the most vulnerable population when it comes to infectious diseases. It is critical to protect them through proper immunization.
Although some diseases are non-existent in the United States, the ease of traveling globally has made importing diseases a persistent hazard. It is important to ensure your child is properly vaccinated for all preventable diseases by the age of two.
Just last year, Arizona experienced an outbreak of measles resulting from exposure to an unimmunized tourist. While the outbreak was primarily contained within the Tucson metro region, Pinal County had a single case involving a child who eventually recovered from the disease.
Vaccinations are cost effective. Did you know that for every dollar spent on vaccinating a child, there will be a direct savings of $6.30 in medical costs. If you factor in the indirect savings (time lost from work due to sickness or disability) that figure jumps to $18.49 per every dollar spent on vaccinations.
A high vaccination rate among children reduces the chance of an epidemic, thus playing a critical role in safeguarding public health not only on a local level but globally as well.
In a study presented to the Pediatric Academic Societies Conference, immunizations prevent 10.5 million cases of infectious illness and 33,000 deaths in the United States.
Childhood immunizations have wiped out Small Pox, Diphtheria and Polio in the United States. There have been dramatic decreases in measles, mumps and rubella. It is important that parents have their children immunized to prevent a resurgence of wiped out diseases.
Pinal County Public Health and other healthcare providers are an excellent source for understanding what immunizations a child needs by the age of two.
Safety of vaccines are at an all-time high. Vaccines are rigorously tested before placed on the open market. Several agencies from the CDC to Pinal County Public Health monitor the safety of vaccines.
It is important that healthcare providers and parents share the responsibility for making sure a child is fully immunized by the age of two.
(Submitted by Pinal County Public Health)
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