• Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical to protect them through vaccination. Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the United States. All of them will need to be vaccinated against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age 2.
• Of the 79 cases of pertussis reported among infants less than 1 year old in Georgia last year, 32 (41 percent) were too young to be vaccinated with pertussis-containing vaccine because the first dose is given at 2 months of age. This statistic highlights the importance of pregnant women getting vaccinated during pregnancy, and the importance of fathers, grandparents, caregivers, siblings and others who have contact with the infant to also receive the vaccine.
• Many infants who get pertussis are infected by older siblings, parents or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease. Vaccination with Tdap — protecting against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis — is particularly important for family members and caregivers of infants who are in close contact with young babies. In 2012, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended a dose of Tdap during each pregnancy for women regardless of prior vaccination history.
• Most childhood vaccines produce immunity 90 to 100 percent of the time. Without vaccinations, your child is at greater risk of developing a vaccine-preventable disease.
• Influenza vaccination is recommended for any person in close contact with infants from birth to 6 months of age during influenza season. Hospitalization rates for flu are high among children, especially those under 1 year. Children younger than 6 months are not eligible for influenza vaccination, making it important to vaccinate parents and caretakers to protect infants from risk of exposure.
Georgia Department of Public Health
