[Archived] Health Department Urges Infant Immunization

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For More Information, Contact:
April 20, 2005 Barbara J. Gordon, PIO , 703.838.4300, or
PIO 129-05/bg Deborah Snaman, RN , 703.838.4400 ext. 334

Health Department Urges Infant Immunization
National Infant Immunization Week recognized April 24-30

In recognition of National Infant Immunization Week, the Alexandria Health Department reminds all parents that immunizations are among the most important actions they must take to protect their children’s health. In fact, there are 12 vaccine-preventable diseases that children must be protected against by age two.

Each day 11,000 babies are born in the United States, and all of them should be immunized before they reach age two. Nationally, the immunization rate in 2003 was 77.9%, while the Virginia rate was 80.9%. Health officials are striving for higher rates, through awareness and education.

“Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death,” according to Charles Konigsberg, Jr., MD, MPH, Health Director for the City of Alexandria. “They not only help protect vaccinated individuals from developing potentially serious diseases, they also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious agents.”

The 12 potentially serious diseases that vaccines protect against are: Bacterial Meningitis, Diphtheria, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Pneumococcal disease, Polio, Rubella (German Measles),Tetanus (lockjaw) and Varicella (Chicken Pox). At least one vaccine is needed for each of these diseases, and for some several doses are required for the best protection. “Without these vaccinations, if a child were exposed to any of these diseases, a child could become very ill,” said Deborah Snaman, RN, Immunization Coordinator for the Health Department. “It is also very important that parents vaccinate their children on schedule, and on time,” Snaman said.

Alexandria residents are welcome to vaccinate their children at the following walk-in immunization clinics: Mondays, 2 – 7 pm, Tuesdays, 8 – 11 a.m. 4480 King St. or Tuesdays from 4 – 6 pm at the Casey Clinic, 1200 N. Howard St. In celebration of National Infant Immunization Week, the costumed dog “Tracker” will appear for children on April 26, between 8 am and 11 am at the Health Department, 4480 King St. immunization clinic, as well as several City McDonalds restaurant locations, and will be distributing immunization awareness information.

For more information on immunizations, log onto www.cdc.gov/nip , or call the Alexandria Health Department at 703.838.4400 ext. 334.

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