National Infant Immunization week is April 21-28

The Adams County Health Department (ACHD) is encouraging parents with infants 2-years old and younger to talk with their doctor to ensure their child is up to date on immunizations.

ACHD Public Health Nurse Ashley Yerxa said children are exposed to thousands of germs every day through the food they eat, air they breathe and things they put in their mouths, and that is why vaccines are needed.

“Babies are born with immune systems that can fight many germs, but there are some deadly diseases they can’t handle. That’s why they need vaccines to strengthen their immune system,” she said. “Vaccines contain a tiny fraction of antigens that babies encounter in their environment every day. Antigens are tiny parts of disease-causing germs. Vaccines help children’s immune system recognize and learn to fight serious diseases, keeping them safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Yerxa went on to say 30 years ago vaccines used 3,000 antigens to protect against eight diseases by age two. Today, 305 antigens protect against 14 diseases by age two.

Othello residents can their children immunized at the Adams County Health Department facility at 425 E Main, Suite 700. Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Residents in Ritzville can their children to the Adams County Health Department facility at 108 W Main. The clinic is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday’s.

For more information on specific vaccines visit http// www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents.