Did you know that making sure your children get their required immunizations (shots) is one of the most important ways for parents to protect their children against serious disease? Infants and children are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases. Therefore, it is essential that children be protected by getting the immunizations that are recommended. National Immunization Week is recognized during the week of April 23 – April 30, 2011. This health observance helps to remind and encourage all parents to consult with their health care provider to ensure that their children are up-to-date of their shots. While there are some risks from every medication including immunizations, the benefits of immunizations far outweigh the risk associated with vaccines. Parents should contact their health care provider if they have specific questions about vaccine safety.

In honor of this week, the Onondaga County Health Department presented an award to Child Health Care Associates for outstanding vaccination rates among their patients under two years old. This practice was recognized for its commitment in educating parents about the importance of immunizations and for its high vaccination rates.

Immunizations protect both families and communities. Today we can protect more children from vaccine preventable disease than ever before. Children who are not immunized increase both their risk of disease, as well as to others. In the United States, we can vaccinate children against fourteen (14) different diseases before the age of two.

Take time during National Infant Immunization Week to contact your child’s health care provider to be certain your child is up-to-date on immunizations.   For more information about vaccine preventable diseases and the importance of immunizations, contact your health care provider or the Onondaga County Health Department at 435-2000.