TRENTON, NJ – With recent increases in cases of preventable diseases across the state and country, the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is reminding parents during National Infant Immunization Week (April 21-28) of the importance of protecting infants and children from vaccine-preventable diseases. April 24-30 also marks World Immunization Week, which recognizes the lifesaving impact of vaccines worldwide. This year’s theme is “Immunization for All is Humanly Possible.”

Ensuring infants and young children keep up with their well-child appointments and receive their recommended shots by age two is the best way to protect them from serious childhood diseases like measles, mumps, diphtheria, rubella, and more.

"The fact is vaccines save lives. Making sure children are up to date on all the recommended vaccines is the best way to protect them from preventable infectious diseases,” said Health Commissioner Kaitlan Baston, MD, MSc, DFASAM. “Vaccines go through rigorous testing before we can use them, and they keep our children safe from the worst effects of illnesses.”

Each year, the New Jersey Vaccines for Children program provides approximately 1.6 million doses of vaccines to providers throughout the state. The program, which has helped to boost childhood immunization levels and reduce disparities in coverage, expands access to vaccinations through health care partners to immunize uninsured and underinsured children according to the recommended immunization schedule.

Pregnant individuals can provide additional protections to newborns by ensuring they are up to date on vaccines. Speak to a health care provider for more information on getting Tdap (for whooping cough), flu, and COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy, which can provide protection for newborns until they are old enough to get their own shots.

For more information about vaccines, visit nj.gov/health/vaccines. Additional information about the New Jersey Vaccine Preventable Disease Program is available at nj.gov/health/cd/vpdp.shtml.

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The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 5,500 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.