Announcements: National Infant Immunization Week — April 18–25, 2015

Weekly

April 10, 2015 / 64(13);370

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 18–25, 2015. This annual observance promotes the benefits of childhood immunizations and their role in improving the health of children aged ≤2 years. Since 1994, local and state health departments, immunization partners, health care professionals, community leaders, clinicians from across the United States, and CDC have come together to highlight the importance of vaccination in the lives of infants and children.

Although immunization coverage among children remains at high levels, recent outbreaks of measles in the United States highlight the importance of maintaining high immunization rates. NIIW provides an opportunity to celebrate immunization achievements, recognize partners and volunteers dedicated to childhood immunization, and revitalize community efforts to maintain high vaccination levels.

During NIIW, local and state health departments, national immunization partners, and health care professionals will host events and educational activities for parents and clinicians. To help with planning these activities, various promotional and educational materials are available from CDC on the NIIW website.* Also available are materials from CDC's new Born with Protection campaign,† which promotes whooping cough vaccination during the third trimester of each pregnancy to help protect babies during their first few months of life when they are most vulnerable.

* Additional information available at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/index.html.

† Additional information available at http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/pregnant/index.html.