Community Baby Bash Immunizations & Health Fair, April 28

National Infant Immunization Week, April 22-29

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 25, 2017

LAS VEGAS — The Southern Nevada Health District, Immunize Nevada, Junior League of Las Vegas, and Health Plan of Nevada are commemorating National Infant Immunization Week with the annual Community Baby Bash Immunizations & Health Fair on Friday, April 28 from 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the 280 S. Decatur public health center. For more information and to sign up for updates about the event, visit the Community Baby Bash webpage or call the Health District’s Immunization Clinic at (702) 759-0850. The health fair will feature community partners offering dental and vision screenings for children, family resources information, and more. Parents should bring their children’s immunization records.

The event will feature several organizations to assist local families in accessing health and social services as well as activities for children.

During National Infant Immunization Week, April 22-29, the Health District will waive administrative fees for children up to two years old who qualify for the Vaccines for Children program.

By the year 2000, childhood diseases like rubella, mumps, measles, pertussis, and chickenpox were rare and many pediatricians were unfamiliar with these once-common diseases. National Infant Immunization Week is an opportunity to remind everyone that vaccines protect babies and children from 14 illnesses, and the United States currently has the safest and most effective vaccine supply in its history.

Nevada ranks 31st in the nation for immunization coverage in children between the ages of 19 months and 35 months, up from 38th in 2014 according to the 2015 National Immunization Survey (NIS). The improvement represents a 5.5 percent increase in vaccine coverage rates for the early childhood age group.

Immunizations are considered to be among the most important public health advances of the 20th century and they have reduced infant deaths and disability from preventable diseases. Aggressive immunization campaigns have eradicated smallpox worldwide, and the United States has been polio-free since 1979. Since 2000, cases of naturally occurring measles in the United States were eliminated. However, cases continue to be reported mostly among unvaccinated people who contracted measles in the United States after exposure to someone who became sick with measles in another country. In 2014, a record number of 667cases from 27 states were reported.

The Health District regularly offers immunizations at its public health centers. Service hours vary, check the Southern Nevada Health District Immunization Clinic Locations page on the website or call the immunization clinic for more information. Fees vary depending upon health insurance status. Immunization services are available at the following Health District locations:

• • Main Public Health Center, 280 S. Decatur Blvd.,  Las Vegas
  • East Las Vegas Public Health Center, 560 N. Nellis Blvd., Ste. E12, Las Vegas
  • Touro University Health Center, 874 American Pacific Dr, Henderson
    (Monday –Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
  • Mesquite Public Health Center, 830 Hafen Lane, Mesquite
    (Nursing services are available Tuesday and Thursday, and is closed daily from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. for lunch)

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.