According to the Barry-Eaton District Health Department, this week is National National Infant Immunization Week.
That's observed from April 21-28 and is to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases.
According to the BEDHD, infants in the United States are protected against 14 preventable diseases when fully immunized.
Vaccines for infants are especially important because some of the diseases they protect against can be especially dangerous for children under the age of two.
They say that it is important to follow the recommended immunization schedule to protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among children born during 1994–2013, vaccination will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes.
Vaccine-prevented diseases may seem like threats from the past; however, children can still get and spread these diseases.
The United States is seeing the return of vaccine-preventable diseases—such as measles, whooping cough, and mumps—that had once been considered eliminated.
The BEDHD suggests that parents talk with their child’s health care provider to ensure that their baby is up-to-date on vaccinations.
If parents cannot afford immunizations for their child or have further questions, they can call the BEDHD Immunization clinic at 269-798-4133 in Barry County or 517-541-2630 in Eaton County.
More information on vaccinations can be foundhere.
