Passport to Immunizations & Health Fair, April 20

Health fair kicks off National Infant Immunization Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 20, 2013

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District and the United Way are sponsoring a Shots 4 Tots event, Passport to Immunizations and Health Fair, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at the health district’s main public health center, 330 S. Valley View Blvd., at the corner of Meadows Lane. The event kicks off National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 20-27. This free event will offer no cost childhood immunizations for eligible children up to age 36 months, health screenings, family resources, and well-baby checks on a first come-first served basis. Parents should bring their children’s immunization records. For more information about the clinic or immunization services, contact the Southern Nevada Health District’s immunization clinic, (702) 759-0850 or visit www.SNHD.info.

Health screenings for kids will include dental screening, vision screenings, developmental screenings, fingerprinting, and vaccine records check. Face painting, family resources, and photos with Star Wars characters will be available (while supplies last).

“Immunizations are among the greatest public health accomplishments of the 20th century and they are responsible for eliminating a disease as dreadful as smallpox. Immunizations are a gift of health that we give to our children,” said Bonnie Sorenson, Southern Nevada Health District director of nursing and clinic services. “The Passport to Immunizations and Health Fair is a great way for us to work with our partners like United Way to get as many children up to age 3 vaccinated so they can be healthy.”

“Our goal is to increase the percentage of fully immunized children residing in southern Nevada,” said Cass Palmer, president and chief executive officer, United Way of Southern Nevada. “Our vision is that all children in southern Nevada will have access to health care to successfully start and stay in school, creating a healthy cycle of life.”

Nevada’s immunization rate for toddlers ranks near the bottom of the 50 states. In the 2011 National Immunization Survey, a vaccine coverage survey of kids born from Jan. 2008 through May 2010, the state’s ranking improved to 40th for vaccine coverage of kids between 19 and 35 months old. Immunizations are considered one of the most important public health advances of the past century and have reduced infant deaths and disability from preventable diseases in the United States.

Recently, several milestones have been reached in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants and adults worldwide:

• In 2012, many of today’s medical school graduates will never see a case of measles.
• In 2011, CDC announced childhood immunization rates are at or near record highs.
• Routine immunizations in one birth cohort prevents approx. 20 million cases of disease/approx. 40,000 deaths and saves approx. $13.6 billion in direct costs.

Additional National Infant Immunization Week activities are planned. Visit the Southern Nevada Immunization & Health Coalition website, www.snicnv.org for information. Throughout the year, special Shots 4 Tots immunization clinics are scheduled where no cost shots for children up to 36 months old are offered. Visit the health district website or contact the immunization clinic for dates.

The health district regularly offers immunizations at its public health centers. An administrative fee of $16 per child for one shot or $25 per child for two or more shots will be collected. Some vaccines might require an additional fee. Immunization services are available at the following health district locations:

• Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Main public health center, 330 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas
  • North Las Vegas Public Health Center, 955 W. Craig Rd., Ste. 103D, North Las Vegas (North Las Vegas is closed daily from 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. for lunch)
• Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
  • East Las Vegas Public Health Center, 560 N. Nellis Blvd., Ste. E12, Las Vegas
  • Henderson Public Health Center, 520 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson
• Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. CLOSED for lunch
  from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Mesquite Public Health Center, 830 Hafen Lane, Mesquite

About United Way of Southern Nevada
United Way of Southern Nevada works to build a healthier community and to advance the common good through a focus on Education, Health and Financial Stability, the building blocks of a good life. With an extensive network of donors, volunteers and community leaders, the United Way brings together the passion, expertise, and resources needed to affect positive change in our community. Together, person by person, the United Way’s collaborative power is building a more solid community fabric, connecting impassioned advocates who truly LIVE UNITED for a better Southern Nevada. For more information on how to get involved, please visit www.uwsn.org.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.