National Infant Immunization Week

Parents' Power To Protect

April 26th-May 3rd is National Infant Immunization Week. In conjunction with National Infant Immunization Week, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center is encouraging parents to take the time to ensure their children and all family members are adequately immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases. Giving babies the recommended immunizations by age two is the best way to protect them from 14 serious childhood diseases, like whooping cough and measles.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center administers vaccines for infants, children, adolescents, and adults. Vaccination clinics for infants and children are held by appointment on the first and fourth Wednesday and the second Monday of each month at the Cape Girardeau office. Adults may walk-in for their vaccines at the Cape Girardeau office, no appointment necessary, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There is also an immunization clinic, by appointment, held on the third Monday at the Jackson Legion Hall.

Infants, children and adolescents are required to have certain vaccines in order to attend daycares and schools. Some adolescents are required to obtain certain vaccinations to attend college. Some adults should obtain CDC recommended vaccines for traveling and other adults should obtain recommended CDC vaccines in order to stay healthy, especially since we know that with age our immune system weakens.

In 2013, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center immunized 1,794 infants and children, and 972 adults through Health Center Clinics/walk-ins. The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center immunized 2,236 clients with Tdap (tetanus and Pertussis) at community clinics, 3,287 clients at community flu clinics, and 1,841 through school flu clinics.

You can't keep your babies in a fish bowl, so protect them from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases by immunizing. Call the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center for further information, questions, or to schedule your child's appointment at (573)335-7846.

Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center

Jane Wersnman, Director, Phone 573 335 7846