Parents and caregivers will have a chance to become better educated on the importance of vaccination and protecting their newborns against diseases during NIIW. “Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, and it is critical that we as caregivers and parents make sure they receive their immunizations,” says Dr. Anil T. Mangla, Program Director of Infectious Disease and Immunization, Georgia Department of Community Health.
Each day, approximately 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized before age 2 against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. Some of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases are pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and chicken pox.
Take proper precaution and immunize your child. Review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations and discuss an immunization schedule with your infant’s pediatrician. Protect, love and immunize your child.
For more information on immunization, contact your local health department (phone numbers for the North Georgia Health District county health departments are listed below) or visit http://health.state.ga.us/programs/immunization.