Many parents don’t know if their children are properly immunized, and that’s a big danger for their children. In Illinois, 31 percent of 2-year-olds have not received the full series of vaccines they need to protect them from life-threatening diseases such as measles and pertussis.
The good news is that we’ve made real progress in the last few years. Today, infant immunization rates are at their highest levels in history, and vaccine-preventable childhood diseases are at an all-time low. But our work is far from done. There are still more than 1 million preschoolers in this country who don’t have all their shots.
During National Infant Immunization Week, today through next Saturday, communities across the country are joining hands to ensure that all children get the shots they need, when they need them. But we need help. Parents need to check their children’s immunization records to make sure they’re up to date and bring their children in for shots if they’re not. Doctors need to take every opportunity to vaccinate children during office visits. It’s up to all of us to ensure that every child gets an equal chance at a healthy life.
For information on where to go for shots, call 1-800-232-2522.
