April 23-29, 1994, has been designated National Infant
Immunization Week. This week also will inaugurate the Childhood
Immunization Initiative (1), a comprehensive effort to ensure that
children aged 0-2 years are fully vaccinated. The theme of the
initiative, "Immunize on Time, Your Baby's Counting on You,"
emphasizes the need for parents to know their child's vaccination
status and promotes adherence to the vaccination schedule. Public
service announcements, produced in English and Spanish with
information for contacting state health departments, are designed
to increase awareness about age-appropriate vaccination (comprising
approximately five visits to a health-care provider by the second
birthday). Health-care providers are encouraged to use every
opportunity to ensure children in their care are up-to-date with
their vaccinations (2,3).
State and local events will encourage cooperation between
health-care providers and parents to ensure that children receive
all recommended vaccinations by their second birthday. Local
programs are encouraged to participate in National Infant
Immunization Week by tailoring activities to fit their communities'
needs.
Nationwide toll-free information services will refer parents
without vaccination providers to vaccination services nearest them.
The English-language number (800) 232-2522 and Spanish-language
number (800) 232-0233 are for general audiences; health-care
providers can call (800) 232-7468 to obtain information about
current guidelines by facsimile or mail. Additional information
about childhood vaccination is available from state immunization
programs or CDC's National Immunization Program, Mailstop E-06,
1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30333.
References
CDC. Reported vaccine-preventable diseases -- United States,
1993,
and the Childhood Immunization Initiative. MMWR 1994;43:57-60.
Orenstein WA, Atkinson W, Mason D, Bernier RH. Barriers to
vaccinating preschool children. J Health Care Poor Underserved
1990;1:315-30.
National Vaccine Advisory Committee. The measles epidemic: the
problems, barriers, and recommendations. JAMA 1991;266:1547-52.
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