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Date: Monday, Dec. 9, 1996
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: CDC Press Office Kay Golan or Larry Furphy, (404) 639-3286

Shalala Launches New Immunization Public Service Campaign

HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today launched a new, nationwide public service campaign to encourage parents to make sure that their children are adequately immunized. The campaign was released at the fifth annual conference of Every Child By Two, a coalition which helps promote childhood immunization, founded by Betty Bumpers and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

These new public service announcements, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will help raise doubt in parents' minds about the immunization status of their child, because many parents think their child is adequately protected when he or she is not. "With these public service announcements, we hope to compel all parents to talk to their health care providers to make sure that their child is up-to-date with their shots," Secretary Shalala said. "These PSAs are part of our commitment to raising and sustaining high immunization levels in the United States, especially among children under two."

If infants get their shots on time, many life­threatening childhood diseases can be prevented. Although immunization rates for two-year-olds are at an all­time high of 75 percent and vaccine­preventable diseases are at an all­time low, more than one million two­year­olds in the United States are still not adequately protected.

"We must not grow complacent," said Dr. David Satcher, Director of the CDC. "We need to maintain our high levels of immunization coverage in this country in order to prevent the return of epidemics. This public service campaign is a critical tool for reminding parents to make sure they get their baby's shots on time and reminding providers to check a child's immunization record every time they see them. Like the PSA says, 'Even If You're Sure, Ask Again.'"

Vaccination is one of the safest and most effective health interventions. Vaccines protect children against 10 deadly diseases, including polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hib meningitis, chickenpox and hepatitis B. Children need a series of 12 - 16 baby shots before two years of age, occurring in about five visits to a health care provider.

The immunization PSAs, developed for CDC by the Advertising Council, Inc. and Harrison Maldonado and Associates, are produced in English and Spanish, respectively. The spots, which will be sent to more than 1,800 television stations, 8,000 radio stations and 15,000 print publications, carry a toll-free number which provides referrals to local providers and additional information on immunization in both English and Spanish (1-800-232-2522 for information in English and 1-800-232-0233 for information in Spanish).

For copies of the PSAs contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, John Anderton, 404­639­8375.

Note: HHS press releases are available on the World Wide Web at: www.hhs.gov.