Contact: Olga Connor                                                                                        

                Rosa Oses-Prealoni

                                                                                                                 786-336-1276

 

MIAMI - The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County acknowledges April 18 – 25, 2015 as National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). National Infant Immunization Week is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children two years old or younger. 

 

National Infant Immunization Week, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention initiative, 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.  NIIW will be celebrated as part of World Immunization Week (WIW), an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). 

 

“Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases,” said Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, PhD, Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. “They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.”

 

Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare providers, and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community.  Vaccines not only prevent disease, they reduce the costs associated with missed time from work, doctor visits, and hospitalizations. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s doctor to ensure that their baby is up-to-date on immunizations.

 

For more information, please call the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County, Immunizations Program at 786-845-0550.

                                                                      

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The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

 

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.floridahealth.gov.