Infant Immunization Week April 21-28

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children two years old or younger.

This year, NIIW is April 21-28.

Children are exposed to thousands of germs every day in the environment. This happens through the food they eat, air they breathe and things they put in their mouths.

Babies are born with immune systems that can fight many germs, but there are some deadly diseases they cannot handle. That is why they need vaccines to strengthen their immune system. Vaccines contain a tiny fraction of antigens that babies encounter in their environment every day.

Antigens are tiny parts of disease-causing germs. Vaccines help children’s immune system recognize and learn to fight serious diseases, keeping them safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Thirty years ago vaccines used 3,000 antigens to protect against eight diseases by age two. Thanks to scientific advances, today’s vaccines can protect children from more diseases using fewer antigens.

Now, 305 antigens protect against 14 diseases by age two.

For further information about specific vaccines go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents.

Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor to ensure that their child is up-to-date on immunizations. Most pediatricians and health care providers offer vaccinations for children.

Adams County Health Department has two locations, Ritzville and Othello, that provide vaccinations.

In Ritzville, the office is located at 108 West Main Avenue and can be contacted by phone at 659-3315. The clinic hours are Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1–4:30 p.m.