Health Blog

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)

NIIW is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW)

What is NIIW?

  • National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.
  • Since 1994, hundreds of communities across the United States have joined together to celebrate the critical role vaccination plays in protecting your children, communities, and public health.

When is NIIW?

  • NIIW is April 21st – 28th, 2018

The Choice Not to Vaccinate Doesn't Only Affect You!

  • Infants could contract diseases that are otherwise completely preventable.
  • Pediatrics who are not immunized against pertussis are 23 times more likely to catch the disease thus increasing the chance of spreading it to others.
  • By not immunizing your infact, almost-eradicated diseases can have a massive comeback in society, such as mumps or measles.

Importance of Vaccination

  • Through immunization, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable disease before age two.
  • In the 1950's, 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.
  • Vaccines have drastically reduced infant death and disability caused by preventable diseases in the United States.

Implications on the Healthcare System

  • Routine childhood immunization in one birth cohort prevents an estimated 381 million illnesses, 24.5 million hospitalizations, and 885,000 early deaths.
  • This results in net savings of $360 billion in direct costs and $1.65 trillion in total societal costs.

Can Your Child Get Vaccinated When They Are Sick?

  • Yes! Children can still get vaccinated if they are mildly ill
  • Symptoms that are considered mind illness include:
    • Low grade fever (less than 101 degress Fahrenheit)
    • A cold, running nose or cough
    • Ear infection (otitis media)
    • Mild Diarrhea
  • Vaccines do not make a mild illness worse but may cause side effects such as:
    • A low grade fever
    • Soreness or swellnig where the shot was given
  • If you child is taking antibiotics for a mild illness, they can still get vaccines as well

 

Check out this instant immunization schedule from the CDC:
https://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/kidstuff/newscheduler_le/
 

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