ATLANTA, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, thousands of children become ill from diseases that could have been prevented by basic childhood immunizations. National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 21 - 28, 2012 and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) urges all Georgians to protect infants from vaccine-preventable diseases by vaccinating their children.
"Parents want to do what is best for their children," said Steve Mitchell, Director of the Georgia Immunization Program. "They know about the importance of car seats, baby gates and other ways to keep them safe, but they don't always remember that one of the best ways to protect our children is to make sure they have all of their vaccinations."
Since 1994, NIIW provides a valuable opportunity for our community to remind people how important it is for children to be vaccinated. It is a call to action for parents, caregivers and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.
| 2012 Recommended Immunizations for Babies | |||||||||||||
| At Birth | HepB | ||||||||||||
| 2 Months | HepB | + | DTaP | + | PCV13 | + | Hib | + | Polio | + | RV | ||
| 4 Months | DTaP | + | PCV13 | + | Hib | + | Polio | + | RV | ||||
| 6 Months | HepB | + | DTaP | + | PCV13 | + | Hib | + | Polio | + | RV | (Influenza) | |
| 12 Months | MMR | + | PCV13 | + | Hib | + | Varicella | + | HepA | (Influenza) | |||
| 15 Months | DTaP | (Influenza) | |||||||||||
| Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| * This is the age range in which this vaccine should be given. |
| ** Children 6 months or older should receive flu vaccination every flu season. If this is the first time for flu vaccine, a child 6 months through 8 years of age should receive two doses, separated by at least four weeks. If this child only receives one dose in the first season, he or she should receive two doses the next season, if still younger than 9 years. Ask your child's doctor if a second dose is needed. |
Vaccination is safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children 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. Immunization is the best way to protect others you care about from vaccine-preventable diseases. In 2010, the United States had over 27,000 cases of whooping cough reported and 27 deaths, most in children younger than 6 months. For Georgia, there were 247 cases and one infant death. Immunization not only protects your family but will help prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.
Help us continue to spread the word as vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago (e.g. smallpox).
Take proper precaution and immunize your child. Contact your pediatrician or your local public health department to ensure your infant is up-to-date on immunizations. Don't hesitate to vaccinate when your child needs protection now.
For more information on immunization, visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization.
SOURCE Georgia Department of Public Health
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http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization
Source: www.prnewswire.com
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