Allamakee County Public Health urges parents to make sure children are fully vaccinated during upcoming National Infant Immunization Week

Veterans Memorial Hospital Community & Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services are joining forces to promote National Infant Immunization Week (April 24-30, 2023) and to remind parents of the importance of ensuring children - including those age two years and under - stay up to date on check-ups and routine vaccinations.

“Vaccinating on time according to the recommended childhood immunization schedule and attending regular well-child visits provide the best protection against serious illness such as measles, polio, pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza,” said Sheryl Darling-Mooney, Public Health Supervisor. “For families that may have fallen behind schedule, National Infant Immunization Week is a great reminder to get back on track.”

According to Iowa’s Immunization Program, 70.9 percent of children in the state received all recommended vaccine doses by age 24 months in 2022 - a decrease of 0.1 percent from 2021 and the lowest rate since 2017. This means a large portion of Iowa children are not protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“We are still seeing consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic, including some children being behind on recommended immunizations,” adds Darling-Mooney. “Now is the time for parents to make an appointment with their child’s healthcare provider and discuss routinely recommended vaccines.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website offers a free and downloadable parent-friendly schedule of recommended vaccinations for infants and children. To make an appointment for the vaccination clinic, call Allamakee County Public Health at 563-568-5660.  Allamakee County Public Health is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.

Sources: 2022 Childhood Immunizations Data Summary, Iowa Department of Health and Human Services