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Date: Thursday, April 18, 1996 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: CDC Press Office(404)639-3286
Americans have two new records to celebrate--one high, one low--during this year's National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 21-27. In the United States, the national infant immunization rate is at an all-time high and vaccine-preventable childhood diseases are at historic all-time lows.
"Today, more American children than ever before are properly immunized -- and fewer children than ever before are suffering from vaccine-preventable disease. Just today, for example, it was reported that the number of measles cases last year was the lowest ever," President Clinton said. "Still, we need to do more. All of us can help in this effort -- by educating parents, volunteering in local health programs, and supporting efforts in our communities. Together, we can ensure that every child in this country gets an equal chance at a healthy life."
HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provisionally reports that seven vaccine-preventable diseases were at record lows in the United States in 1995. Fewer children than ever before suffered from measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, polio and a form of bacterial meningitis. Compared to the pre-vaccine era, these life-threatening diseases have declined 95 percent or more.
State health departments, for 1995, have reported the lowest number of measles cases since reporting began in 1912. The provisional total for 1995 is 301 cases, down 69 percent from the 963 reported cases in 1994. This is a significant decline from the number of cases reported when a measles epidemic swept the nation at the start of this decade. From 1989 to 1991, 55,000 cases of measles were reported, which killed more than 130 children and adults.
According to CDC's most recent National Immunization Survey, which surveys parents of preschoolers nationwide, 75 percent of two-year-olds in the United States received their full series of shots as recommended. Yet, despite this record high, more than one million American children remain vulnerable to disease because they need one or more doses of vaccine.
In 1994, President Clinton officially proclaimed "National Infant Immunization Week" as the last week in April every year, to focus attention on the target population of the Childhood Immunization Initiative--infants and toddlers. This year, communities across the nation will be participating in outreach activities during the week.
State and local health departments and community immunization coalitions have planned special activities during NIIW. On April 22, in Atlanta, the 1996 Olympic Game mascot, Izzy, is going to check his immunization record. On April 23, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala will visit the East Valley clinic in San Jose, and on April 25, Secretary Shalala will participate in immunization outreach activities at the Maria de los Santos clinic in Philadelphia's Empowerment Zone. On April 24, Boston's Commonwealth Housing is holding a health fair that will provide free on-site immunizations; Boston's preschooler immunization rate, at 87 percent, is the highest in the nation among sites surveyed.
"Our message during National Infant Immunization Week is one of hope and concern," said Secretary Shalala. "Vaccines work--they are superb, cost-effective tools to prevent disease. However, with one of every four infants in the United States missing a needed shot, parents can't be sure their child is fully protected until they check. We encourage parents and health care providers to stop and check preschoolers' shot records during National Infant Immunization Week -- and at every health care visit throughout the year."
National Infant Immunization Week is an annual special observance that highlights the importance of public and private partnerships in increasing infant immunization. During the past two years, successful immunization partnerships have been launched with organizations such as Gerber, K-Mart, MacDonalds, and the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs. "Deadly viruses do not respect state or community borders; the problem of under immunization of infants affects every community in this nation," said CDC Director, Dr. David Satcher. "While no single factor accounts for under immunization, achieving and sustaining high coverage requires action by health-care providers, parents and communities."
The National Infant Immunization Week is an important part of the broader outreach effort within the Administration's Childhood Immunization Initiative. The initiative, launched by CDC in 1994, aims to further increase infant immunization levels and reduce diseases, like measles, while building a system to sustain high rates and deliver new vaccines to generations of children to come. "To truly succeed, we must break down all of the barriers that prevent our children from being immunized on time," said Secretary Shalala. "That is why this Administration has doubled funding for childhood immunization, helped states and communities reduce immunization barriers, and built a national outreach effort the likes of which this country has never seen."
The goal of the Administration's Childhood Immunization Initiative is to increase vaccination levels to at least 90 percent among preschoolers by the year 2000. The initiative's five strategies include: improving immunization services for needy families, especially in public health clinics; reducing vaccine costs for lower-income and uninsured families; building community networks to reach out to families and ensure that young children are vaccinated as needed; improving systems for monitoring diseases and vaccinations; and improving vaccines and vaccine use.
NOTE: Information on NIIW and childhood immunization is now available on the Internet. Visit CDC's home page at www.cdc.gov for the most current information on childhood immunization. For information on local NIIW activities in your state, contact the CDC press office at (404) 639-3286.