Let’s Prevent Infectious Diseases: National Infant Immunization Week

Apr 28, 2014 | NacchoVoice

niiw-logo-color-englishBy Rebecca Gehring, MPH, Program Analyst, and Alyssa Kitlas, Lead Associate, Immunization and Infectious Disease, NACCHO

Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They help protect vaccinated individuals and keep entire communities safe by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. While there have been huge strides in eliminating vaccine-preventable diseases, recent outbreaks of measles and pertussis (whooping cough) underscore the need for continued education and awareness about the importance of childhood immunizations.

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance that highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities throughout the United States. NIIW is April 26–May 3; you can find events near you here.

What is your local health department doing to promote National Infant Immunization Week?

Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare professionals, and state and local public health officials must work together to form an “immunization neighborhood” to help protect the entire community. Local health departments (LHDs) play a critical role in vaccinating and responding to vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. Roughly 90 percent of LHDs provide childhood vaccinations. To make the most of NIIW, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a few strategies when planning activities in your community. LHDs should start with a good foundation. The CDC encourages LHDs to plan for the observance, build immunization partnerships at the state and local levels, find an immunization champion, and evaluate your programs to see what strategies are working best for your community. This week-long public health observance is a great opportunity for your LHD to meet some long-term immunization goals.

NACCHO supports LHDs looking to expand their capacity to successfully implement immunization programs in a number of ways. NACCHO has an online, searchable database of innovative best practices across public health areas. These practices allow users to benefit from the experience of their colleagues, learn what works, replicate successful strategies, and save time and resources. For updates, visit the NACCHO Immunization Project webpage and sign up for a bi-weekly Immunization and Infectious Disease Update.

Public health, medical providers, parents, and communities should recognize the successes and accomplishments that immunizations have had in preventing vaccine-preventable diseases. NIIW is a reminder that we have the tools to keep infants, children, adolescents, and adults safe and healthy.


About NacchoVoice

More posts by NacchoVoice

Related Posts

D4 web

Day Four Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from the final day of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 28, 2024

Day Four Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

I Stock 1182682774
  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
  • Behavioral Health
  • Community Health
  • Injury and Violence Prevention

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NACCHO is...

Mar 28, 2024 | Camille Adams

Seeking LHD Participants for an Intersectional Data...

Ps24 posters d3 web

Day Three Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day three of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 27, 2024

Day Three Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

D2 highlights web

Day Two Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day two of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 26, 2024

Day Two Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

PS24 1

Day One Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

See highlights from day one of the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 25, 2024

Day One Highlights: 2024 Preparedness Summit

PS24 web
  • Tools & Resources
  • Training

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit!

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit.

Mar 25, 2024 | Beth Hess

Welcome to the 2024 Preparedness Summit!

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

You’re invited to join the call on April 2 to hear more.

Mar 25, 2024

Stakeholder Conference Call on the FDA Integrated Food...

Cover and Spine for MAPP 2 0 Handbook Copy Page 1
  • Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP)
  • Performance Improvement
  • Workforce Development

Register to Attend a Mobilizing for Action through...

Registration is now open for NACCHO’s in-person Mobilizing for Action through...

Mar 23, 2024 | Andrea Grenadier

Register to Attend a Mobilizing for Action through...

Capitol bulding

Congress Releases Labor-HHS Bill in Final FY2024 Package

Early on March 21st, Congress released the final minibus package for Fiscal...

Mar 22, 2024 | Victoria Van de Vate

Congress Releases Labor-HHS Bill in Final FY2024 Package

Back to Top