PRINTER'S NO. 2912
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
719
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCHWEYER, MILLARD, KOTIK, COHEN, DUSH, SONNEY,
YOUNGBLOOD, MURT, READSHAW, THOMAS, CORBIN, V. BROWN,
DiGIROLAMO, KIRKLAND, BOBACK, WARD, SAMUELSON, MAJOR,
HENNESSEY, LONGIETTI, KINSEY, DONATUCCI, ROSS, SCHLOSSBERG,
BULLOCK, MAHONEY, MARSICO, McNEILL, ROEBUCK, NEILSON, WATSON,
HEFFLEY, BRADFORD AND GINGRICH, MARCH 10, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 10, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of April 16 through 23, 2016, as "National
Infant Immunization Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Since 1994, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), state and local health departments, national
immunization partners, health care professionals and public
officials have observed "National Infant Immunization Week" to
highlight the importance of vaccinations and call attention to
achievements in immunizations; and
WHEREAS, Immunizations are among the most successful and
cost-effective public health interventions for preventing
disease and death in our communities; and
WHEREAS, According to the CDC, 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; and
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WHEREAS, Immunizations help reduce the risk of infection and
life-threatening diseases by working with the body's natural
defenses to safely develop immunity to diseases; and
WHEREAS, In 2014 the CDC reported that, among children born
between 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; and
WHEREAS, Despite achievements in immunization, the United
States Department of Health and Human Services reports that
approximately 300 children die annually from vaccine-preventable
diseases; and
WHEREAS, Vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles,
continue to appear in the United States and internationally,
making continued vaccination necessary to protect our
communities and public health; and
WHEREAS, Infants are particularly susceptible to infectious
diseases; and
WHEREAS, Vaccinations are designed to provide immunity early
in life before exposure to life-threatening diseases; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 12,000 babies are born in the United
States each day, and they need to be immunized before two years
of age to protect against 14 serious diseases, including, but
not limited to, diphtheria, influenza, measles, mumps, pertussis
(whooping cough), polio, rubella and varicella (chickenpox); and
WHEREAS, The immunization of infants and children, based on
the childhood immunization schedule recommended by the CDC, is
essential in providing the best protection to children;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
week of April 16 through 23, 2016, as "National Infant
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Immunization Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage
parents, caregivers and health care professionals in this
Commonwealth to participate in educational and media events to
increase the awareness of the importance of immunizing children.
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