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Since 1994, National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) has been an annual observance. NIIW highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.
This year NIIW observance dates are April 23 - 30, 2011. Outstanding progress has been made in immunization rates for children younger than two years old. Immunization coverage rates in the United States for vaccines routinely recommended for infants and young children remain at or near record highs. However, there is still much work to be done.
Over one million children in the United States are not adequately immunized and each day nearly 12,000 children are born and need disease protection from diseases. Thousands of lives are in jeopardy from vaccine-preventable diseases, and hundreds of thousands of dollars are being spent on the care of disease stricken children whose illnesses could have been avoided. We can all play an important role in ensuring that all our children are appropriately immunized by the age of two.
The celebration of NIIW is another opportunity to advance our efforts in childhood immunizations and overall community public health. Join us in celebrating National Infant Immunization Week 2011. Celebration activities include the following: Gift Bag for Families served during the week in our clinics; four street banners proclaiming the week throughout the city; mention the “In The City” employee publication; and publicity for eSAIRS, the Enhanced San Antonio Immunization Registry.
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