The Department of Public Health will proudly observe National Infant Immunization Week April 26 to May 3 and Toddler Immunization Month throughout May.
These annual observances highlight the importance of routine immunizations to protect children younger than two years of age from vaccine preventable diseases. These observances also celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.
Now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with your child’s medical provider to insure they have all of their recommended immunizations. Both infants and toddlers need timely immunizations to protect themselves and their communities from vaccine preventable diseases.
“It is never too early to start protecting your child from infectious diseases,” said Maxwell Ohikhuare, M.D., County of San Bernardino Health Officer. “The current measles outbreak in California emphasizes the consequence of deciding to delay or refuse immunizations. The decision to immunize your infant or toddler is a decision to protect them and the entire community.”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that both infants and toddlers receive the following immunizations:
- Hepatitis B
- Rotavirus
- Diphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis (DTaP) – Whooping Cough
- Haemophilus influenza (Hib)
- Pneumococcal (PCV13)
- Polio (IPV)
- Seasonal flu shot
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Varicella (Chicken Pox)
- Hepatitis A
If your infant or toddler does not have health insurance, call 1-877-243-8832 for information about the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides vaccines at low-cost. For County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health Clinic locations or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-722-4777, Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or visit www.sbcounty.gov/dph.
Continuous health information can be found on the Communicable Disease Section Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CommunicableDiseaseSection.
I appreciate the explanation that seasonal flu shots should be one of the immunizations that infants and toddlers should receive. I have an infant daughter and a son who is still a toddler, so I should definitely make sure to get them covered. As soon as I can, I’ll be sure to take them to a place where they can get their immunizations to protect against possible diseases.