PRINTER'S NO. 981
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
187
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SCHWEYER, ROZZI, READSHAW, KINSEY, DiGIROLAMO,
KIRKLAND, SIMS, FREEMAN, V. BROWN, DONATUCCI, McNEILL,
DRISCOLL, STURLA, CORBIN, BISHOP, COHEN, THOMAS, O'BRIEN,
FABRIZIO, SCHLOSSBERG, WHEELAND, MILLARD, YOUNGBLOOD, ROSS
AND WATSON, MARCH 24, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 24, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the week of April 18 through 25, 2015, as "National
Infant Immunization Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Immunizations help reduce the spread of life-
threatening diseases and prevent dangerous complications by
working with the body's natural defenses to develop immunity to
diseases; and
WHEREAS, Immunizations are among the most successful and
cost-effective public health tools available for preventing
disease and death in our communities; and
WHEREAS, The United States has the safest, most effective
vaccination supply in its history; and
WHEREAS, The approximately 12,000 babies born daily in the
United States need to be immunized before two years of age to
protect against 14 serious diseases and complications, including
diphtheria, influenza, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping
cough), polio, rubella and varicella (chickenpox); and
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WHEREAS, Infants are particularly susceptible to infectious
diseases and immunizations are designed to provide immunity
early in life, before exposure to life-threatening diseases; and
WHEREAS, According to the United States Department of Health
and Human Services, approximately 300 children die annually from
vaccine-preventable diseases; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), routine childhood immunizations prevent
approximately 20 million cases of infectious disease and
approximately 42,000 deaths, saving $13.5 billion in direct
costs; and
WHEREAS, Among children born between 1994 and 2013,
immunization will prevent an estimated 322 million illnesses, 21
million hospitalizations and 732,000 deaths over the course of
their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Since 1994, the CDC, national immunization partners,
health care professionals, state and local health departments
and community leaders from across the United States have joined
together to observe "National Infant Immunization Week" each
year and promote the benefits of immunizing children two years
of age or younger; and
WHEREAS, "National Infant Immunization Week," celebrated
during World Immunization Week, highlights the importance and
benefits of vaccinations for infants and children and brings
attention to the achievements of immunization programs in
promoting healthy communities; and
WHEREAS, The CDC's Vaccines for Children Program provides
vaccinations at no cost to children who might not otherwise be
vaccinated due to inability to pay and has contributed to a
substantial increase in childhood immunization coverage levels;
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and
WHEREAS, Due to widespread immunization, especially childhood
immunization, the United States is experiencing very low rates
of vaccine-preventable diseases; and
WHEREAS, Nevertheless, previously eradicated diseases, such
as measles, have been reappearing in communities across the
United States; and
WHEREAS, More than 600 cases of measles were reported in
2014, which is the greatest number of cases since eradication in
2000, mainly due to groups of unvaccinated individuals and
travelers with measles bringing the disease into the country,
putting unvaccinated children and adults at risk; and
WHEREAS, Vaccine-preventable diseases continue to appear in
the United States and internationally which is why continued
vaccination is necessary to protect our communities and public
health; 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 early in life when
children are vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
week of April 18 through 25, 2015, as "National Infant
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
before their second birthday.
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