NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK – From Manchester Health Department
Press Release
For Immediate Release April 23, 2013
Contact Person: Susan Myers, R.N., M.Ed. (603) 628-6003 Ext. 335
NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK
April 20-27, 2013
National Infant Immunization Week is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements in building healthy communities through immunization efforts. Immunization continues to be a successful public health intervention to control and eradicate disease. Increased immunization rates and the decline in vaccine-preventable diseases has been heralded as one of the top ten public health achievements of the past decade by the Manchester Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles and it some cases the disease caused fatalities. Today, few physicians graduating from medical school will ever see a case of measles during their career. Through immunization, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two. In the United States, vaccines have drastically reduced infant death and disability caused by preventable diseases. Childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children remain at or near record highs.
Tim Soucy, Public Health Director, states, “New vaccines are continually being developed to protect against diseases such as meningitis, whooping cough, flu and cervical cancer. In addition to promoting vaccinations for young children, our efforts must continue in order to achieve and sustain optimal immunization levels for everyone, including adolescents and adults.”
For information on recommended vaccines, residents are encouraged to call their health care provider or the Manchester Health Department at 624-6466. Immunization clinics are held at the Manchester Health Department on a walk-in basis during the following times. All childhood vaccines are provided at no cost.
Manchester Health Department Immunization Clinics
Monday 1:30-3:30 pm
Tuesday 9:00-11:30 am
Thursday 3:00-6:00 pm