**An important message to parents and caregivers**

**from Assistant Surgeon General, Dr. Anne Schuchat**

When you're a parent or caregiver for a child, you're like an umbrella.
Not only do you have to be ready to offer protection at any given
moment, but you never know what's going to be raining down. It's often
up to you to be that layer protecting your children from the elements,
whether it's making sure the carseat is secure or insisting on broccoli
before dessert. Today, let me remind you that **you can shield your
children** from something you may take for granted---vaccine-preventable
diseases.

Approximately one million kids in the U.S. are not fully immunized by
two years old. While the occurrence of most vaccine preventable diseases
is declining; we have seen resurgence of whooping cough (also called
pertussis) over the past few years. In 2006, there were over 15,000
cases of whooping cough reported nationally. To prevent whooping cough,
a child needs four doses of a vaccine called DTaP by age two. It can be
hard to get your children to the doctor or clinic for their
immunizations, but that fourth dose is critical to protect them against
this serious and sometimes deadly disease. You can sometimes use a "sick
visit" to catch up on immunizations; ask your doctor or nurse. It's not
just kids that need shots---did you know that grownups can spread
pertussis to others, too? Ask your healthcare provider about a pertussis
booster shot for adults and pre-teens to protect the entire family,
including infants who haven't been completely immunized from this
serious disease.

Just as an umbrella can collapse in the wind, protection from childhood
diseases can break down if vaccinations are missed or doses skipped. The
sad fact is that low immunization rates can lead to outbreaks---clusters
of disease---that can hospitalize or even kill children who are not
up-to-date on their immunizations.

April 19-26, 2008, is National Infant Immunization Week. All around the
country, doctors, nurses, clinics, and parents will be working together
to get children caught up on their immunizations. Our goal is that every
child will be immunized "on time, every time" by two years old. Don't
wait until a child goes to school to catch up on vaccinations---you
would be shocked to know how vulnerable your infant or baby is without
the recommended immunizations. Older brothers and sisters, relatives, or
even a trip to the grocery store can expose an infant to disease. By
boosting babies' immune systems through vaccination, they are protected
from what used to be common childhood diseases.

The good news is that we are fortunate in this country to have free and
low-cost vaccination programs. **There are 14 diseases you can protect
your child against by immunizing them on time before they turn two years
old.** We have seen a great reduction in many diseases, and we want to
continue that trend. I urge you to continue to be your children's
umbrella, shielding and protecting them.

How can you do this?

1.  **(1)** Make sure your child is up-to-date on immunizations; visit
    CDC's childhood scheduler online at
    [http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/kidstuff/newscheduler_le/]{.underline}
    find out what immunizations your child needs;

    **(2)** get an immunization card or record, and bring it to every
    doctors visit;

    **(3)** ask at every visit if your child needs an immunization;

    **(4)** talk with your child's doctor, and don't be afraid to ask
    questions; and

    **(5)** visit the CDC website at [www.cdc.gov/vaccines]{.underline}
    or call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information on immunizations.

***Love them. Protect them. Immunize them.***

**Note:** National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 19-26, 2008,
is an annual observance established 14 years ago by the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention to remind parents, health professionals, and the public that
children deserve a healthy start to life by immunizing them against
vaccine-preventable diseases. Hundreds of educational activities and
media events are expected to take place nationwide to celebrate and
promote this important issue. The theme for this year's campaign is Love
them. Protect them. Immunize them. For more immunization information
visit [www.cdc.gov/vaccines]{.underline} or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.