rap #86 04/25/07

FREEHOLDERS MARK INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK

VACCINES ARE AMONG modern medicine's most successful and cost-effective tools for combating disease.

Yet no matter how powerful a vaccine is, it is of no use unless a child receives it.

The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders marked National Infant Immunization Week, April 21 though April 28, and asked that all children be protected from disease.

"We strongly encourage families to have their children immunized," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little. "To be successful, immunizations must begin before a child is less than 2 years old."

Little, who is liaison to the Ocean County Health Department, said children need a series of vaccines, usually starting at birth, to be fully protected against 14 potentially serious diseases.

Freeholder Director John P. Kelly said vaccines protect not only the person receiving them, but the entire community.

"Vaccines stop diseases from starting and spreading," he said. "Diseases, such as polio, that once claimed thousands of children, now have been reduced by more than 99 percent."

Little said immunization services for limited-income families are available through the WIC program at the Ocean County Health Department.

"Income should not be a factor in protecting our children's health," Little said. "No child should be allowed to become ill when a something as simple as a shot in the arm could have prevented it."

For more information, contact the Health Department at (732) 341-9700 or 1-800-342-9738, ext. 7502.

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