This year marks the 25th anniversary of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW). From April 27-May 4, 2019, NIIW will highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs in promoting healthy communities throughout the United States.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes the important role that local health departments (LHDs) play in keeping their communities safe from disease outbreaks through surveillance, education, and administration of childhood vaccines. To get involved during NIIW 2019, use this robust toolkit, check out these planning resources and be sure to share your planned NIIW activities with the CDC. Plus, participate in a Twitter Storm (April 30, 7-9pm ET, #ivax2protect) to share why it’s important to vaccinate on time and support immunization.
Some other specific activities you can do include:
- Post an NIIW banner or button on your website.
- Use pre-written content to promote positive messages about infant immunization through your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Use #NIIW and #ivax2protect in posts.
- Promote CDC’s Instagram Story Q&A (May 2, 12:00-2:00pm ET) and encourage parents of young children to join CDC for this live, virtual event that will answer parents’ vaccination questions. Questions can be submitted on the @CDCgov Instagram page during the event.
- Prepare and distribute newsletter articles for employers, neighborhood associations, utility companies, or other organizations with newsletters.
- Write a news release, op-ed piece or letter to the editor of your local newspaper. You can find templates in the NIIW Media Relations Toolkit.
- Establish an immunization education center in your office, at a local library, major worksites, or other walk-in locations. You can find free educational materials to download and print on CDC’s website.
- Present about NIIW at an already-scheduled meeting of employers, religious leaders, or media representatives, and ask them to get involved with your activities.
- Tell healthcare professionals in your community about CDC’s resources on how to communicate effectively with parents about childhood immunization. These resources were developed together by CDC, The American Academy of Pediatricians and The American Academy of Family Physicians.
LHDs can also highlight gaps in local immunization rates and promote local immunization champions, such as the healthcare professionals, parent advocates, and communication specialists honored by CDC’s Childhood Immunization Award program. By working together, LHDs, states and the federal government have the power to keep our nation’s children healthy through on-time immunizations.