TOMPKINS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Your Partner for a Healthy Community
Frank Kruppa – Public Health Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 20, 2017
For more information contact: Melissa Gatch at 274-6604
National Infant Immunization Week April 22-29, 2017
(ITHACA, NY, April 24, 2017) – National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is a reminder that children need vaccines right from the start. Immunization gives parents the safe, proven power to protect their children from 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before they turn 2 years old.
To recognize the importance of immunizations from the start and throughout our lives, the Tompkins County Health Department and the Immunization Coalition of Tompkins County are joining with partners nationwide in recognizing April 22nd-29th as National Infant Immunization Week. The theme for this week is “A Healthy Start” and will focus on protecting babies and young children though immunization.
Today’s childhood vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including polio, measles, whooping cough, and chickenpox. “Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases,” says Melissa Gatch RN, BSN, and Supervising Community Health Nurse. “Every dose of every vaccine is important to protect your child and others in the community. Talk to your doctor or other healthcare professional to make sure your child is up to date on all the vaccines he or she needs.”
When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk and can spread diseases to others in their family and community, including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated. Gatch notes that immunization is a shared responsibility. She says, “Families, health care providers and public health professionals must work together to help protect the entire community.”
Tompkins County Health Department offers immunization clinics every Friday for county residents who do not have a primary care provider and do not have insurance or are under insured. Clinics are open from 9am to 4pm by appointment. Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents or visit us on line at www.tompkinscounty.gov/health or call 607-274-6604. Follow us on Facebook for related public health announcements at https://www.facebook.com/TompkinsPublicHealth/.