Release Date: April 17, 2008
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
Vaccine for Children Providers to be Recognized
Metro Health to honor more than 200 providers who help keep children immunized
Bexar County has the highest vaccination rate among the state’s major metropolitan areas, partially due to the commitment among local providers to insure local youngsters receive their immunizations. Those providers will be recognized by Metro Health for the work they do to help the department protect this community from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Metro Health’s Immunization Division will hold its 11th annual Vaccine for Children Providers Awards luncheon on Friday, April 18 at 12:00 p.m. at Marriott Northwest, 3233 NW Loop 410 (at IH-10). More than 200 providers are expected to attend the event, which will feature a keynote speech from Dr. Sharon G. Humiston. Dr. Humiston is a member of the National Vaccine Advisory committee and author of Vaccinating Your Child: Questions and Answers for the Concerned Parent.
The luncheon is a precursor to National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), taking place April 19 -26. During NIIW, Metro Health encourages parents to:
• Update their child’s immunizations;
• Insure children receive their shots year round, as scheduled; and,
• Remember “No Shots, No School” - plan now to get needed vaccinations to avoid long waits prior to the next school year in August.
Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, mumps, whooping cough and polio, to name a few. The annual observance highlights the importance of immunization protection for children and celebrates the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.
For more information, call Brenda Lemke at 207-8794 or Clark Petty at 207-2869.
