National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 26 – May 3, 2014, and Cobb & Douglas Public Health (CDPH) urges residents to be the champion for their little ones and speak with a healthcare provider or doctor to make sure their babies are up-to-date on vaccinations. Bring your infant to Cobb & Douglas Public Health (Marietta, Acworth, East Cobb and Douglasville locations) for immunizations between Monday, April 28 and Friday, May 2, and you will be eligible for a drawing to WIN A FREE CAR SEAT.
“Parents, caregivers and health care providers are all critical in keeping our children protected,” said Karen Thomas, Director of Immunizations, Cobb & Douglas Public Health. “It’s easy to forget that one of the best ways to protect our children is to make sure they have all their vaccinations. Please be their champion and take the initiative to affirm your child is up-to-date on the recommended immunizations.”
Celebrating its 20th year, NIIW provides an invaluable opportunity for our community to remind people of the importance of childhood vaccinations. It is a call to action for parents, caregivers and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully vaccinated against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) * Two doses given at least four weeks apart are recommended for children aged 6 months through 8 years of age who are getting a flu vaccine for the first time and for some other children in this age group. § Two doses of HepA vaccine are needed for lasting protection. The first dose of HepA vaccine should be given between 12 months and 23 months of age. The second dose should be given 6 to 18 months later. HepA vaccination may be given to any child 12 months and older to protect against HepA. Children and adolescents who did not receive the HepA vaccine and are at high-risk, should be vaccinated against HepA.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States currently has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. Vaccines are given to children only after long and careful review by scientists, doctors and healthcare professionals. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for most children.
For more information, visit dph.georgia.gov/immunization-section.