National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 22-29, 2024
NIIW is a yearly observance held in April, highlighting the importance of protecting children two years old and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases.
All staff in healthcare practices, including non-clinical staff, play important roles during NIIW.
Together, we can help raise awareness about the importance of infant immunizations and encourage parents and caregivers to talk their child’s doctor about staying up to date on their child’s vaccinations.
In support of NIIW, ImmunizeDC invites you to use this Instagram Video developed specifically for Coalition members. Just right-click on the video and click “Save As” to save to your computer. You can then upload to your social. Please contact info@dcimmunized.org with any questions.
The CDC has a number of resources available for partners to use to during NIIW including graphics, tips for talking with parents about childhood vaccines, and NIIW key messages. In support of this week, CDC invites you to:
- Share their updated NIIW Promotional Resources with your networks
Image from CDC’s Talking with Parents about Vaccines for Infants
- Let members know about CDC’s Let’s RISE Initiative webpage. CDC’s resources can help partner organization and jurisdictions:
- Share Facts about routine vaccines, including that vaccines are safe
- Answer Frequently asked questions for routine immunizations
- Make strong vaccinate recommendations now when and where to refer a child for free vaccines, and view the most up to date recommended vaccine schedule for children.
- Use CDC’s Milestone Tracker app, exam room developmental growth chart, and other free, parent-friendly Learn the Signs. Act Early. early child development resources to educate families in monitoring their children’s development from birth to age 5.
- Let members know about a new free Online Partner Vaccination Toolkit for early care and education providers
On-time vaccinations play a vital role protecting children and communities from serious diseases. Thank you for your commitment to keeping infants and young children healthy and safe.
Vaccination During Pregnancy Protects Both Mom and Baby
Healthcare providers, including OB-GYNs, nurse midwives and others, who care for pregnant people, should give their patients the recommended vaccinations. If you don’t provide the vaccines in your office practice, know where to send a pregnant person to get their vaccinations, and follow-up with them to see if they got the vaccines they need.
Pregnancy experts agree that a pregnant person should get vaccinated against:
- Whooping cough: During each pregnancy during the third trimester
- Flu: People pregnant during flu season should get vaccinated
- COVID-19: Pregnant people who are not up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): People pregnant during RSV season (Septemeber to January) should get the RSV vaccine between 32 through 36 weeks OR babies aged 8 months or younger can get RSV immunization during their first RSV season.