Protect Children from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

April 24-30 is National Infant Immunization Week

DuPage County – The DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) is joining public health agencies and medical partners in support of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) from April 24-30.

NIIW highlights the importance of protecting infants and young children from vaccine-preventable diseases such as whooping cough (pertussis), chickenpox, and mumps, which threaten the health of our children and our community. This week, DuPage County Health Department reminds families to stay on track for their children’s well-child visits and routinely recommended vaccinations.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some infants and children to have missed or delayed their wellness checkups and vaccination, which are a critical part of ensuring children stay healthy. CDC recommends families check with their healthcare providers to make sure children are up to date on routinely recommended vaccines including COVID-19 vaccines, following disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic.  On-time vaccination is critical to provide protection against potentially life-threatening diseases.

Vaccination is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare professionals, and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community. It is important to note most parents choose the safe, proven protection of vaccines. Giving babies the recommended vaccinations by age two is the best way to protect them from serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough (pertussis) and measles.

Childhood immunizations are available at DCHD only through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program for all children who do not have insurance, with insurance that does not cover immunizations, or children who are Medicaid eligible. The VFC program helps eligible children get their vaccines at no cost and according to the recommended immunization schedule, which has contributed directly to a substantial increase in childhood immunization coverage levels, making a significant contribution to the elimination of disparities in vaccination coverage among young children. Additional VFC providers can be found through the VFC Provider Search. For more information about the VFC program please call DCHD at (630) 682-7400. We remind everyone that vaccines are among the most successful, safe, and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and premature death.

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