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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

            Laredo, TX – – The City of Laredo Health Department (CLHD) is commemorating National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) which runs from April 24 through May 1, 2010 with a proclamation this Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 8:20 a.m.  It will be held at Embassy Suites Hotel located at 110 Calle Del Norte.   In honor of this event the CLHD immunization program is making this a festive event offering pictures of children who get immunized as well balloons and other door prizes will be provided. 

 National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities.  Some of the main goals of NIIW are to:

• Highlight the importance and benefits of childhood immunizations, especially to parents, educate parents and caregivers about the importance of vaccination in protecting their children from birth against vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Focus attention on our immunization achievements and celebrate the accomplishments made possible through successful collaboration.
• Revitalize efforts to protect children against vaccine-preventable diseases and give them a healthy start in life.
• Binational cooperation for disease control.

Immunizations have been cited as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century.  The City of Laredo Health Department is proud to announce that for six consecutive years they have had 100% compliance with vaccines for children less than three years of age.  This year, as in the past the CLHD will continue to work its border partners in order to improve vaccination rates among our border.

We would like to remind parents that vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.  Additionally, vaccination plays a critical role in safeguarding public health globally. During NIIW 2010, hundreds of communities across the United States will join those in the Western Hemisphere and Europe to celebrate Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) and European Immunization Week.  This year, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO) is also joining the partners around the world.

 Every day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States who will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two. 

 More than 500 NIIW events across the United States to promote and provide infant vaccinations will reflect this year’s NIIW theme “Love them. Protect them. Immunize them.”