This year, National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 19-26. NIIW celebrates the successes of immunization programs around the country and highlights the importance of immunizing.

Audio Interviews

Joseph A. Bocchini Jr., MD, FAAP, chairperson of the AAP National Committee on Infectious Diseases, answers common questions parents have about vaccines in an audio interview.

• Why are vaccines still important?
• How safe are vaccines?
• Why do children need vaccines at such a young age?
• Why do pediatricians use combination vaccines?
• Why is a CDC committee now recommending flu vaccine for all children ages six months to 18 years?

The past century witnessed great progress in eliminating many of the devastating infectious diseases of childhood. Read about these medical breakthroughs in an excerpt from the book, "Dedicated to the Health of All Children." (45 pages)

Resources for parents on immunizations and vaccine-preventable diseases - see Immunizations Health Topic page

One-a-Day Web Messaging

These tidbits can be changed to suit your own needs. Consider posting one message for each day of National Infant Immunization Week on your own Web site.

• Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. (For more info: What if we stopped vaccinating- www.cispimmunize.org/fam/stopno.html)

• Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare providers, and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community. (For more info: Community immunity- www.cispimmunize.org/fam/community_immunity.htm)

• Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases. Parents are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider to ensure that their infant is up-to-date on immunizations. (For more info: Importance of Immunizing- www.cispimmunize.org/fam/impt.html)
  
  
• Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease in the United States, parents are often unaware that their children are at risk for so many serious and life-threatening diseases. (For more info: Illnesses- www.cispimmunize.org/ill/ill_main.html)
  
  
• Healthcare providers play a critical role in educating parents about the importance of immunization and ensuring that infants are fully immunized. (For more info: Provider support- www.cispimmunize.org/pro/pro_main.html)
  
  
• Vaccine-preventable diseases are at an all-time low in the United States.  However, these diseases still exist and continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks. (For more info: CDC Vaccines and Preventable Diseases- www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/default.htm)
  
  
• Immunizations are extremely safe. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved for public use and monitored carefully by doctors, researchers, and public health officials. (For more info: Vaccine Safety Information- www.cispimmunize.org/fam/safety_parent.html)

Posters

These posters can be displayed in waiting rooms or exam rooms. They encourage parents to get their kids immunized.

• My kids are vaccinated!
  

Public Service Announcements

The CDC has recreated these public service announcements to be played or read on local radio stations.

5 Important Reasons to Immunize Your Child from CDC