banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner
banner

Local News

April 27 – May 4 Is National Infant Immunization Week

National Infant Immunization Week, April 27- May 4, annually highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities in the United States and the critical role vaccination plays in protecting the health of our children, families, and communities, according to a news release from the Barry Eaton District Health Department.

 

Infants in the United States are protected against 14 preventable diseases such as polio, measles, and chickenpox when fully immunized. Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease, parents may not have heard of some of today’s vaccines or the serious diseases they prevent.

 

These diseases can be especially serious for infants and young children. That’s why it is important to follow the recommended immunization schedule to protect infants and children by providing immunity early in life, before they encounter potentially life-threatening diseases.

 

The inability to pay should never prevent a parent from vaccinating their child. The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program allows parents to vaccinate their child without worrying about the ability to pay for these services.

 

A child may qualify for free vaccines through the VFC program if they are on Medicaid, have no insurance, or are underinsured. The VFC program has helped increase childhood immunization coverage levels, making a significant contribution to the elimination of disparities in vaccination coverage among young children.

 

The VFC program is offered at the health department and at many doctors’ offices in both Barry and Eaton County. If parents have questions or would like to schedule an appointment for their child, they can call the health department immunization clinic at 269-798-4133 in Barry County or 517-541-2630 in Eaton County.

 

It is the responsibility of parents, physicians, and public health providers to make sure that all children are up to date on vaccinations. Parents should talk with their child’s health care provider to ensure that their child is up-to-date on vaccinations.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the course of a lifetime, vaccination will prevent an estimated 419 million illnesses, 26.8 million hospitalizations, and 936,000 deaths among children born during 1994-2018.

More information on vaccinations can be found at ivaccinate.org.

 

Listen Live

DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP

FOR YOUR PHONE OR TABLET!

     

Weather

On Air Now

Best Country Hits
Best Country Hits
10:00am - 3:00pm
Midday Show