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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	February 9, 2016 02:41 PM
From:	Representative Peter Schweyer
To:	All House members
Subject:	Resolution – Recognizing the week of April 16 through 23, 2016, as "National Infant Immunization Week" in Pennsylvania

In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution recognizing the week of April 16 through 23, 2016, as “National Infant Immunization Week” in the Commonwealth. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, among children born during 1994 and 2013, vaccinations are expected to prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths over the course of their lifetimes. Further, routine childhood immunizations in one birth cohort prevents approximately 20 million cases of infectious disease and approximately 42,000 deaths, saving $13.5 billion in direct costs. Despite achievements in immunization, the United States Department of Health and Human Services reports that approximately 300 children die annually from vaccine-preventable diseases. In addition, vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, continue to appear in the United States and internationally which is why continued vaccination is necessary to protect our communities and public health. In an effort to highlight the importance of vaccinations and call attention to achievements in immunizations, the CDC, state and local health departments, national immunization partners, health care professionals, and public officials have observed "National Infant Immunization Week" since 1994. Please join me in supporting these efforts by recognizing the week of April 16 through 23, 2016, as “National Infant Immunization Week” in Pennsylvania.

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