NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrating the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. NIIW is observed during the last week of April. The exact timing varies slightly from year to year as we attempt to avoid potential holiday schedule conflicts.
NIIW is recognized as part of World Immunization Week (WIW), an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). During WIW, all six WHO regions, including more than 180 Member States, territories, and areas, will simultaneously promote immunization, advance equity in the use of vaccines and universal access to vaccination services, and enable cooperation on cross-border immunization activities.
NIIW provides an opportunity to:
- Highlight the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases, especially to infants and young children, and the importance and benefits of childhood immunization
- Educate parents and caregivers about the importance of vaccination in protecting their children from birth against vaccine-preventable diseases
- Focus attention on immunization achievements and celebrate the accomplishments made possible through successful collaboration
- Step up efforts to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases and thereby give them a healthy start in life
- Encourage better communication between parents and healthcare professionals.
- Remind parents and caregivers of the importance of making and keeping needed immunization appointments.
- Provide help to parents and caregivers to locate a healthcare professional who participates in the Vaccines for Children’s program, a federally funded program that provides vaccinations at no cost to children whose parents cannot afford to pay for them.
HOW TO OBSERVE #InfantImmunizationWeek
- Visit the Center for Disease Control immunization website.
- Do online research to see what most recent research says about immunization.
- Work with a service club or church to set up a program for people who need transportation to health clinics or doctors’ offices.
- Follow on social media #NationalInfantImmunizationWeek #ivax2protect , #ivax2protect
- Follow the CDC on Facebook.
NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK HISTORY
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, including influenza.