Health Department: Now’s the Time to Get Your Infant Child Immunized
The Kane County Health Department is reminding parents to have their infant sons and daughters immunized.
It’s easy to think of childhood diseases as something from the past. But the truth is they still exist. One example of the seriousness of vaccine preventable diseases is an increase in measles cases or outbreaks that were reported in 2014 and 2015. The United States experienced a record number of measles cases, with 667 cases from 27 states reported to CDC. This was the greatest number of cases in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000.
National Infant Immunization Week, April 16-23, 2016, is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children 2 years old or younger. Local and state health departments, national partners, healthcare professionals, and community leaders from across the U.S. and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have worked together through NIIW to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children.
Several important milestones already have been reached in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants worldwide. Vaccines have drastically reduced infant death and disability caused by preventable diseases in the United States. According to the CDC, immunizations can protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two. In addition:
- In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles, and unfortunately, some even died from this serious disease. Today, many practicing physicians have never seen a case of measles.
- Routine childhood immunization in one birth cohort prevents about 20 million cases of disease and about 42,000 deaths. It also saves about $13.5 billion in direct costs.
- The National Immunization Survey has consistently shown that childhood immunization rates for vaccines routinely recommended for children remain at or near record levels.
The Vaccine for Children Program at KCHD provides immunizations for uninsured, under-insured and those children on Medicaid. Get more info from the Bee Wize line at 866-BEEWIZE (866) 233-9493. Click here to visit the Immunization page on the KCHD Web site.
SOURCE: Kane County Health Matters newsletter
About the Kane County Health Department
In active partnership with our community, the Kane County Health Department improves the quality of life and well-being of all residents by developing and implementing local policies, systems, and services that protect and promote health, and prevent disease, injury and disability. Visit the Health Department’s Facebook Page and sign up for the award-winning “Health Matters” newsletter.
