County Health Department Honoring Immunization Week

The following is a press release from the Chester County Health Department.

The is promoting National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 21-28, to raise awareness of the benefits of immunizations to improve the health of infants. During this week, hundreds of communities across the United States will join countries around the world to celebrate the critical role vaccination plays in protecting children, communities, and public health.

Currently, the United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in its history. Forty-two thousand lives are saved and 20 million cases of disease are prevented for each U.S. birth cohort using the current childhood immunization schedule. However, vaccine-preventable diseases still circulate around the world; therefore continued vaccination is necessary for protection from potential outbreaks. When diseases enter the U.S., unvaccinated children are more at risk to contract a disease.

“It is important to vaccinate children on time, in order to provide the best protection early in life, when babies are vulnerable and before they are likely to be exposed to diseases,” said Chester County Health Department Director Margaret Rivello. “Vaccines are one of the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available to prevent disease and death, and they also reduce the spread of infectious diseases to an entire community.”

The Health Department provides free childhood immunizations for families who are uninsured or underinsured in Chester County. Families without insurance are referred to Medical Assistance and/or CHIP (Child Health Insurance) and efforts are made to assist with enrollment.

      Walk-in clinics are held weekly at the Government Services Center:

• Tuesdays        9:00am - 4:00pm
• Wednesdays 11:00am - 6:00pm
• Fridays           9:00am - 4:00pm

Walk In immunization clinics do not require an appointment unless it is for a flu shot. A parent or guardian must accompany the child and bring along the child's shot records. For more information, visit us at www.chesco.org/health