Blog #12 Infants need immunization against life-threatening diseases

Unlike adults, babies are still growing and developing by the minute each day, and because of this they don’t have as strong of an immune system as we do. Without a strong and prominent immune system they are more susceptible to contract many of the viral diseases floating around, just waiting to attack. The Southwest Health District’s 14 county health departments have taken note of this and have joined forces with different counterparts around the world to bring awareness to the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases this month. Many of the diseases that the infants are contracting can simply be prevented by having them fully immunized early on. Since 1994 the National Infant Immunization Week has been in effect to bring awareness to parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to make sure that their infants are fully immunized against the 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. According to the article, the week will take place this year April 21-28 and it will be celebrated with the first global immunization observance which was initiated by the World Health Organization. This entire project is really important because it is a sure way to help decrease the infant mortality rates of the U.S. I feel as if it can be effective because the vaccines are not very costly and they are usually covered by insurance through The Vaccines for Children program making it more accessible to parents and caregivers. It is also very important to know that just because the diseases are not as prevalent in the United States as they are in some other countries that we are still at risk and so we need to remain prepared at all times. The efforts being put forth to ensure the health of our future population are very important ones and we should all take note and participate because this is something that really affects everyone. We all are connected, whether we have infants of our own, younger siblings or family members, or simply just come in contact with any infants at all. This project could definitely work to help save a valuable and precious life.

http://www.walb.com/story/17365270/infants-need-immunization-against-life-threatening-diseases