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MILWAUKEE (4/19/2012) - Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has joined Children's Hospital of Wisconsin in urging parents and caregivers to make sure their children are up to date on all vaccinations. Walker has proclaimed April 21-28 Infant Immunization Awareness Week in Wisconsin. The declaration coincides with National Infant Immunization Week.
"There are 14 dangerous diseases that are preventable through vaccination," said Lyn Ranta, MD, director of Physician Affairs at Children's. "We live in a global society. We have contact every day with people who have visited or lived in countries where these diseases are more common. These diseases can make our children very sick and can lead to death or disability. Vaccines are safe, and it's as important as ever that our children are protected through immunizations."
Walker encourages parents and caregivers to protect the health of the children they care for. "Recent outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles in our community should be a wake-up call," Walker said. "We can't afford to be complacent. We can't assume that these diseases have been eradicated. The threat is real, and if your child is not immunized, he or she is at risk."
The state has a computer database called the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR) where health care providers can enter all vaccines that are given. You can check your child's records at http://dhfsWIR.org using their full name, Social Security number and birth date.
To learn more about vaccines or to find a low-cost or free vaccination clinic near you, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control website or call (800) CDC-INFO.
About Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin is the region's only independent health care system dedicated solely to the health and well-being of children. The hospital, with locations in Milwaukee and Neenah, Wis., is recognized as one of the leading pediatric health care centers in the United States and was named one of America's Best Children's Hospitals by U.S.News & World Report. Children's Hospital provides primary care, specialty care, urgent care, emergency care, community health services, foster and adoption services, child and family counseling, child advocacy services and family resource centers. In 2010, Children's Hospital invested more than $105 million in the community to improve the health status of children through medical care, advocacy, education and pediatric medical research. Children's Hospital achieves its mission in part through donations from individuals, corporations and foundations and is proud to be a Children's Miracle Network Hospital. For more information, visit the website at chw.org.
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