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The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department is joining the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization in recognizing April 25 – May 2, 2022 as National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). The focus is on the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Through immunization, we can protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. Vaccination is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare professionals, and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community. Public and private medical providers are an essential link to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and can take steps in protecting children in their practices by making COVID-19 vaccine available during all patient visits. VPDs are only preventable when vaccines are administered.