National Infant Immunization Week is April 24-May 1, 2010

The National Infant Immunization Week will be held April 24 through May 1, 2010 across the United States. Other countries around the world will also take part in this week of important preventative health care for babies. Over 60 countries are expected to participate in the 2010 weekly event. The week will focus on immunizations that can prevent contagious diseases in infants and children.

Getting your baby the recommended vaccines are an important step in preventing illness and contacting many contagious diseases that occur throughout childhood, such as the measles, mumps, rubella and more. There are a total of 14 vaccines recommended for infants and toddlers to prevent contagious diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a calendar of events set up by State that lists all the important information for activities taking place in your home state. You can find access the information at CDC Events.

Individual states are promoting the week in different ways. Some are distributing information packets giving the facts about vaccines and their safety. Others are having special t-shirts made for children that get vaccinated during the week.

A special emphasis will be made along the U.S. - Mexican border, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will work with the Pan American Health Organization and the US-Mexico Border Health Commission to emphasize the importance of vaccinations. Last year the H1N1 virus (Swine Flu) spread rapidly from Mexico to the United States and other countries throughout the world. There is now a vaccine for the deadly H1N1 virus, that is one of the recommended vaccines for preventable diseases to infants and children. Other preventable diseases that your children should be vaccinated for are different types of hepatitis, seasonal flu, rabies, small pox, Lyme disease, typhoid fever, shingles, tuberculosis and more.

Check with your state's department of Health for activities in your area promoting the importance of vaccinations for babies and toddlers or click the link above. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with your family's pediatrician or call 1-800-251-BABY.

Sources:

Shots for Tots

Vaccines: Events Across the US and Mexico