Health District Celebrates National Infant Immunization Week

Health District celebrates National Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28

Health District to hold special shot clinics, Saturday, April 28

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 19, 2007

Las Vegas – The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) and its community partners will urge all parents and caretakers to review and update the immunization records for their children during National Infant Immunization Week, April 21-28. Special immunization clinics will be held throughout the community and the health district will hold clinics at all four of its public health centers on Saturday, April 28 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. An administrative fee of $16 per child for one vaccine and $20 per child for two or more will be charged. For more information, contact the health district’s immunization clinic, (702) 759-0850 or visit www.SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict.org.

The 13th annual National Infant Immunization Week stresses the importance of discussing a child’s immunization status at every health visit to maintain up-to-date records for every child. U.S. immunization rates have climbed in recent years; however, many children do not have age-appropriate immunizations.

According to a recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, 76 percent of children younger than 3 years in the U.S. are immunized for the combined recommended series of vaccines, whereas in Clark County this figure is only 58.8 percent, the lowest among 28 urban areas sampled. The rest of Nevada (excluding Clark County) is 75.8 percent, just below the national average and the rate for children immunized at health district clinics is 80 percent.

“Immunizations are the most effective way to protect children from disease,” said Dr. Lawrence Sands, the health district’s chief health officer. “Parents should ensure their child’s immunization records are kept up to date and should discuss their child’s immunization status at every visit to a health care provider. An entire community can be placed at risk of an outbreak when immunization rates among its children are low.”

In recent years, there have been outbreaks across the country of vaccine-preventable illnesses such as mumps, whooping cough (pertussis), measles and chickenpox. Missed opportunities with health care providers or a lack of a “home base” for medical care can contribute to the fact that many children do not receive the recommended doses to prevent such childhood diseases.

The Southern Nevada Health District‘s special Saturday, April 28 immunization clinics will be held between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., at its public health centers. The health district offers immunizations at all its locations between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday:

Ravenholt Public Health Center: 625 Shadow Lane, Las Vegas
East Las Vegas Public Health Center: 560 N. Nellis Blvd., Ste. E-12, Las Vegas
North Las Vegas Public Health Center: 1820 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Ste. F, North Las Vegas
Henderson Public Health Center,, 520 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson

In addition, several immunization clinics will be held throughout the Valley during National Infant Immunization week:

Sunday, April 22

Clark County Fire Station 20
5710 Judson, Las Vegas
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Free Immunizations and Activities

Southwest Medical
650 N. Nellis, Las Vegas
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Free Immunizations and Activities

Wednesday, April 25

Nevada Health Centers/MLK Health Center Clinic
1700 Wheeler Peak Dr., North Las Vegas
8:30 a.m. -11 a.m.
$20 Administration Fee for Immunizations
$5 for Fluoride Varnish

Nevada Health Centers-North Las Vegas
2031 McDaniel St., North Las Vegas
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
$20 Administration Fee for Immunizations
$5 for Fluoride Varnish

Portola del Sol Apartments
1915 Simmons St., Las Vegas
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Free Immunizations and Activities

Thursday, April 26

Nevada Health Centers
Cambridge Family Health Center
3900 Cambridge Ave., Suite 102, Las Vegas
8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
$20 Administration Fee for Immunizations;
$5 for Fluoride Varnish

UMC Lied Clinic
1524 Pinto Lane, Las Vegas
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fee for Immunizations

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The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.