National Infant Immunization Week; County Public Health urges parents to make sure children are fully vaccinated
National Infant Immunization Week is observed April 21-28 this year, highlighting the importance of protecting children two years of age and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that children stay on track with their well-child appointments and routine vaccinations. On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community & Home Care/Allamakee County Public Health and Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Waukon and Postville Clinics remind parents of the importance of ensuring children - including those age two years and under - stay up to date on checkups 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, Allamakee County 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 the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Immunization Program, 71.2 percent of children in the state received all recommended vaccine doses by age 24 months in 2024 - an increase of 1.6 percent from 2023. This means a large portion of Iowa children are not protected against vaccine-preventable diseases. Child immunization data includes the percent of children that have received the recommended doses of the following vaccines by 24 months of age (two years old): 4 doses of DTaP, 3 doses of Polio, 1 dose of MMR, 3 doses of Hib, 3 doses of Hepatitis B, 1 dose of Varicella, and 4 doses of PCV.
“We are still seeing consequences from the COVID-19 pandemic, including some children being behind on recommended immunizations,” states Darling-Mooney. “Now is the time for parents to make an appointment with their child’s healthcare provider and discuss routinely recommended vaccines.”
Infant immunizations are administered at well-child checks at the Veterans Memorial Hospital Waukon and Postville Clinics, or any Wednesday afternoon at Allamakee County Public Health, located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. To make an appointment for the vaccination clinic, call Allamakee County Public Health at 563-568-5660.
