In 1994, community health organizations and leaders joined together to celebrate and highlight the impact that infant immunization programs have had across the country. What started as a celebration that year has turned into an annual event, National Infant Immunization Week, geared to increase awareness about, and promote the benefits associated with the immunization of children 2 years old and younger.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, immunization can protect infants from 14 diseases before the age of two. One of these preventable diseases is measles. Before the 1960s, it was common for almost all children to acquire measles. However, after a vaccine for measles was introduced in 1963, cases of measles began to decrease. Now, most medical practitioners have never seen a case of measles in American infants.

However, while it is exciting that diseases such as measles have been nearly eliminated, there is still the chance for outbreak when vaccinations decrease. In 2014, measles saw a bit of a resurgence. A total of 667 cases of measles was reported that year, the greatest number of cases in America since the disease was considered eliminated in 2000. This example is an important reminder about how crucial it is to keep infants immunized and healthy.

To keep children safe, parents and caregivers should assure open communication with their pediatrician. While the autism-vaccine link has been debunked, there are still many parents who are concerned or have questions about infant vaccines. Pediatricians are more than happy to give reliable facts and reassure worried parents through positive communication.

Beyond communication, caregivers should also be sure to keep immunization appointments for their infant. Immunizations work best when on a particular schedule, recommended by scientists and epidemiologists. Not keeping appointments or straying from an immunization schedule can cause problems with developing healthy immunity.

This April, take time to join community health organizations across the country to celebrate and highlight infant immunization. Our kids depend on it!