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 lifetime; 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 before
exposure to life-threatening diseases occurs; 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 22 through 29, 2017, as "National Infant
Immunization Week" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
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