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MDCH Offers Reminder About Keeping Updated On Immunizations

April 28, 2011

LANSING - In recognition of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) encourages parents to find out if their children are up-to-date on needed vaccines. NIIW is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of childhood immunizations. Each year, hundreds of children in Michigan become ill from diseases that could have been prevented by basic childhood immunizations.

"National Infant Immunization Week provides a valuable opportunity for health professionals to remind people how important it is for children to be fully vaccinated," said MDCH Director Olga Dazzo. "Childhood immunizations remain one of the best ways for parents to protect their children against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases."

Infants are especially vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases - that's why it's so important to protect them through immunizations. Serious diseases such as measles and whooping cough are still a threat to children.

Measles activity has increased worldwide and within the U.S. in recent months, including one case to date in Michigan. Since unvaccinated U.S. travelers are at risk for getting measles when traveling in both developed and developing countries, all international travelers including children should be up to date on immunizations, regardless of the travel destination. Keep your children safe by making sure they have received all their vaccines.

Whooping cough has been increasing in Michigan over the past few years. In 2010, there were more than 1,500 cases of whooping cough in Michigan, including one death. In February 2010, a Michigan family lost their infant son to whooping cough. Whooping cough can be especially severe in young infants less than 6 months of age, who are at highest risk of severe illness, complications, and even death.

To protect against whooping cough, it's important to immunize infants on time. Children need DTaP vaccine, while adolescents and adults need to receive Tdap. When all of the family members and other contacts around children are immunized, this provides additional protection for babies and young children.

 Immunizations are safe and effective. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved. Even after they are approved, public health officials continue to carefully monitor vaccines. Vaccination is still one of the best ways to protect your child from vaccine-preventable diseases.

If you have questions about vaccines, talk with your doctor or nurse. You can also visit www.vaccinateyourbaby.org or call the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at 1-800-CDC-INFO.

For more information about NIIW, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/index.html.