National Infant Immunization Week April 24-30, 2022

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 24 – 30, 2022. Each year, NIIW celebrates the critical role vaccination plays in protecting the health of our children and families — and this year we’re reminding parents of the importance of staying up to date with routinely recommended vaccines following disruptions from COVID-19.

As a parent, you want to protect your little one from harm. Vaccinating your child according to the recommended immunization schedule gives him or her the best protection against 14 serious childhood illnesses — like measles and whooping cough — before the age of 2.

Doddridge County Health Department encourages you to make sure your child is up to date on vaccines by ensuring that they haven’t missed any check-ups. Well-child visits are essential.

You can also review the 2021 easy-to-read immunization schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If you’re pregnant, now is a great time to find a doctor for your baby and schedule a visit to discuss any questions you have about vaccines.

For more information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit these resources:

*The Ultimate Babyproofing Plan: 6 Reasons to Follow CDC’s Immunization Schedule

*CDC’s vaccine website for parents and Infant Immunization FAQs

*CDC’s series of three 1-minute videos

*The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides free vaccines to children who qualify

*The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children website

*Vaccinate Your Family

*The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center

If you have questions about vaccines, talk to your child’s doctor.