Dutchess County Recognizes National Infant Immunization Week
Parents urged to immunize young children
Poughkeepsie … The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s observance of National Infant Immunization Week begins on Saturday, April 21st and concludes on Saturday, April 28th – a week dedicated to highlighting the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and the efficacy of vaccines to prevent these diseases, which gives them a healthy start in life.
The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health (DBCH) reminds parents immunizations protect their children from serious diseases, such as measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and diphtheria.
“Vaccines are the most successful and cost-effective way to prevent most communicable diseases in children,” DBCH Commissioner A. K. Vaidian, MD, MPH said. “The side effects of vaccines are usually mild, such as redness or swelling where the shot was given. This is minimal compared to the pain, disability, and death these diseases can cause.”
Vaccinations for infants and toddlers are spaced throughout their first two years to provide optimal immune response. Healthcare providers will work together with parents to ensure children continue to receive all the vaccines they need, on time, to give them the best defense against 14 different diseases. The recommended immunization schedule for children is available online at DutchessNY.gov/Immunizations.
Immunizations are available on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Dutchess County Immunization Clinic at the Family Partnership Center, 29 North Hamilton Street, Suite 109, in Poughkeepsie. Immunizations are available free of charge to all uninsured or underinsured residents. For more information or to make an appointment, please call (845) 486-3535.
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