April 22 – 29 is National Infant Immunization Week  It highlights the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. The new Partner Vaccination Toolkit for early care and education providers explains how early care and education professional can help. Together, we can help raise awareness about the importance of vaccines for infants and young children and encourage parents and caregivers to talk their child’s doctor about staying up to date on their child’s vaccinations.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer children are up to date on all their vaccines, especially children living in poverty and rural areas. A recent uptick in global and domestic measles cases and outbreaks underscores that children who are not vaccinated, or not up to date on their vaccines, are at risk for serious illness.

In support of this week, CDC invites you to:

• Share our updated NIIW Promotional Resources with your networks
• Let your community know about CDC’s Let’s RISE Initiative webpage. CDC’s resources can help partner organization and jurisdictions:
• • Share Facts about routine vaccines, including that vaccines are safe
  • Answer Frequently asked questions for routine immunizations
  • Make strong vaccinate recommendations
  • Know when and where to refer a child for free vaccines, and view the most up to date vaccine schedule
  • Use CDC’s Milestone Tracker app, exam room developmental growth chart, and other free, parent-friendly Learn the Signs. Act Early. early child development resources to educate families in monitoring their children’s development from birth to age 5.
• Let your community know about the new free Online Partner Vaccination Toolkit for early care and education providers

Being up to date on vaccinations plays a vital role protecting children and communities from serious diseases.