Parents are reminded to keep kids up to date on vaccinations

National Infant Immunization Week, April 18-25, is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases.

In observance of this week, the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center is reminding parents about the importance of following the recommended immunization schedule to protect their infants and children.

"Over the years, vaccines have drastically reduced infant death and disability," said Tony Beltran, the Health Department's executive director. "In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles and, unfortunately, some even died from this serious disease. Today, many practicing physicians have never seen a case of measles."

Vaccine-preventable diseases still circulate in the United States. Fifteen cases of measles have thus far been reported in Cook County this year. While no measles cases have been reported in Lake County yet in 2015, the Health Department's infectious disease programs have increased their prevention efforts.

The department held two measles vaccination clinics in connection with an outbreak in Palatine to assure that residents are immunized.

The Health Department's Immunizations Program works to prevent the spread of illness by vaccinating adults and children for protection against a variety of diseases. These diseases can be especially serious for infants and young children.

Last year, the program provided more than 9,400 vaccinations to babies up to 2 years of age and more than 10,000 to children between 2 and 18 years of age. The program primarily offers immunizations through the Vaccines for Children's program, a federally funded program that provides vaccinations at no cost to children whose parents cannot afford to pay for them.

For the 2015 recommended immunizations for children from birth through age 6, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child.html.

"Vaccines not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases," Beltran said.

"Among children born during 1994-2013, vaccination will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes."

Immunizations are available by appointment only at the Health Department's Immunizations Clinic, 2303 Dodge Ave., Waukegan. The clinic is open Monday through Friday and the second and fourth Saturday of each month. For more information or to make an appointment, call (847) 377-8470 or visit health.lakecountyil.gov/Population/Pages/Immunizations.aspx.