North Central Health District

Immunization is a shared responsibility

Posted April 20, 2017 by Michael Hokanson

National Infant Immunization Week is April 22 – April 29, 2017.

MACON – Immunization is a shared responsibility. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. Vaccines not only help protect our children, but can also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 22 – April 29, 2017, and North Central Health District (NCHD) urges all parents within the district’s 13 counties to speak with a health care provider or doctor to make sure their infants are up-to-date on vaccinations.

“One of the best ways to protect our children is to make sure they are up-to-date on their vaccinations, said NCHD Immunization Coordinator Judy McChargue. “An equally important way to protect our children is to ensure families and friends are current on their vaccinations to protect the little ones.”

NIIW is a call to action for parents, caregivers and health care providers to ensure that infants are fully vaccinated against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunization is a shared responsibility.

For children who are underinsured or whose parents/guardians may not be able to afford vaccines, there is an assistance program called Vaccines for Children (VFC), which provides eligible children with vaccines according to the recommended immunization schedule, at no cost for the vaccines. This program has contributed directly to a substantial increase in childhood immunization coverage levels, making a significant contribution to the elimination of disparities in vaccination coverage among young children.

Vaccination is the best way to protect others you care about from vaccine-preventable diseases.

According to the CDC, the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. Scientists, doctors and health care professionals give vaccines to children only after long and careful review. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for most children.

In observance of National Infant Immunization Week, NCHD encourages parents to take advantage of immunization services provided by each of the county health departments.

For more information on vaccinations, visit http://dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section or contact your county’s health department.

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