April 21-28, 2025, marks National Infant Immunization Week, emphasizing the vital role vaccines play in safeguarding children under two from vaccine-preventable diseases. The CDC encourages families to consult healthcare providers to ensure their children receive necessary vaccinations. Vaccinations historically reduce infant deaths and disabilities significantly. For instance, the measles vaccine has saved roughly 94 million lives since 1974. Health Department & First Choice Healthcare officials note, “It’s easy to think of these diseases as a thing of the past. But the truth is they still exist. Children in the United States can, and do, still get some of these diseases.”
- Through immunization, we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two.
- Vaccines have saved an estimated 154 million lives over the past 50 years.
- In the 1950s, nearly every child developed measles, and unfortunately, some even died from this serious disease.
- The measles vaccine has been particularly impactful, saving nearly 94 million lives since 1974.
Immunizations can be obtained through the First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee, Colona, and Toulon by appointment. For more information on their immunization program, call the First Choice Healthcare location nearest you: Kewanee 309-852-5272; Colona 309-792-4011; or Toulon 309-852-3115, or visit our website at www.henrystarkhealth.com, or find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
