Health District to Attempt World Record for National Infant Immunization Week

Health District to attempt world record for

National Infant Immunization Week, April 23-30

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 26, 2011

LAS VEGAS – As part of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), the Southern Nevada Health District hopes to establish a record for the most childhood vaccinations given in an eight-hour period. The clinic is part of the Shots 4 Tots program’s Vaccinate Your Child Festival, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, April 30 at the former Auto Nation car lot, 4701 W. Sahara Ave. (and Decatur). Childhood and school immunizations will be available for children up to age 18, including the mandatory 7th grade Tdap (pertussis) vaccine. There will be no charge for immunizations. For more information about the clinic or immunization services, contact the Southern Nevada Health District’s immunization office at (702) 759-0850 or visit www.SNHD.info.

Since 1994, NIIW promotes the benefits of immunizations, especially for children up to 36 months. Nevada continually lags behind the rest of the nation in its immunization rates for this age group. Immunizations are considered one of the most important public health advances of the past century and have reduced infant deaths and disability from preventable diseases in the United States.

Recently, several important milestones have been reached in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases among infants and adults worldwide:

Today, many physicians leaving medical school will never see a case of measles; 60 years ago, almost every child developed measles, some had serious complications and some died.
In September, CDC announced childhood immunization rates remain at or near record highs.
In 2005, the CDC announced that rubella is no longer a major health threat to pregnant women or their unborn children, due to high vaccine coverage rates.

The health district offers immunizations at its public health centers between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday- Friday. An administrative fee of $16 per child for one shot or $25 per child for two or more shots will be collected. Some vaccines might require an additional fee. Public health center locations:

Ravenholt Public Health Center: 625 Shadow Lane, Las Vegas
East Las Vegas Public Health Center: 560 Nellis Blvd., Ste. E-12, Las Vegas
Henderson Public Health Center, 520 E. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson
Mesquite Public Health Center, 830 Hafen Lane, Mesquite, Tue/Thu 8 a.m.-noon & 1 p.m.– 4 p.m

Updated information about the Southern Nevada Health District can be found on Facebook www.facebook.com/SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict, on YouTube www.youtube.com/SNHealthDistrict or Twitter www.twitter.com/SNHDinfo.

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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.