National Infant Immunization Week
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 20 - 27, 2013. NIIW celebrates the successes of immunization programs around the country and highlights the importance of immunizing. Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.
AAP Resources
The AAP offers several new resources for pediatricians and families on the importance of vaccinating.
World Immunization Week: 2013 marks the second World Immunization Week. The AAP is a partner in three immunization campaigns supporting worldwide immunization efforts:
Sound Advice
Experts and parents from around the country answer frequently asked questions on the importance of immunization, immunization safety, recent pertussis outbreaks, and more. Click here for the full listing of audio interviews.
Key Messaging from CDC
Key messages help everybody in your organization speak with one voice about your NIIW programs. These 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.
- National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities throughout the United States. This year, NIIW is scheduled to be held April 20-27.
- This year, NIIW will be celebrated simultaneously with World Immunization Week, an initiative of the World Health Organization.
- 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.
- Vaccinating family members and care-givers of infants who are too young to be protected by vaccines, also called cocooning, is an important practice to keep babies safe.
- Health care professionals remain parents’ most trusted source of information about vaccines for their children. They play a critical role in supporting parents in understanding and choosing vaccinations.
- Most parents choose the safe, proven protection of vaccines. Giving babies the recommended immunizations by age two is the best way to protect them from 14 serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough and measles. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor to ensure that their infant is up-to-date on immunizations.
- Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease, parents may not have heard of some of today’s vaccines or the serious diseases they prevent. These diseases can be especially serious for infants and young children, and they still circulate in the U.S. and around the world. That is why it is important to follow the recommended immunization schedule to protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.
- Currently, the United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. The United States’ long-standing vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are as safe as possible. As new information and science become available, this system is, and will continue to be, updated and improved.
Posters
These posters can be displayed in waiting rooms or exam rooms. They encourage parents to get their kids immunized.
AAP Posters
CDC Posters
Educational Resources for Providers
AAP Resources:
CDC Resources:
Educational Resources for Parents
AAP Resources:
CDC Resources:
Last Updated: 4/22/2013
