In recognition of National Infant Immunization Week (April 24, 2005 through April 30, 2005), the Nassau County Department of Health urges all parents to ensure that their infants and toddlers are fully protected from the following vaccine preventable diseases: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, haemophilus influenza (meningitis), varicella (chickenpox), pneumococcal disease and influenza. Many of these diseases are life threatening in infants and young children.
It is extremely important to protect the health of our children by immunizing them against these vaccine preventable diseases. These diseases can spread rapidly among children who are not immunized and can have severe consequences to the very young as well as to adults who are not protected. Families are encouraged to check with their doctors to make sure every child's immunizations are up to date. All children are required by New York State law to have certain immunizations before they can start nursery school, preschool programs, day care or kindergarten.