[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S4669]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise in recognition of National Infant 
Immunization Week, which is being held this year from April 21-28. In 
Nevada and throughout the country, State and local health departments, 
health care providers, parents, and other partners will be working 
together to make sure that all infants are protected against vaccine-
preventable diseases. This week is also an opportunity for all of us to 
spread the message about getting immunized. Not only do immunizations 
give our children a healthy start to life, they also save lives and 
protect the American public's health.
  Immunization against vaccine-preventable diseases is a tremendous 
success story. Due to the development of vaccines and immunization 
campaigns, infectious diseases that used to devastate entire 
communities have been reduced to record lows or eradicated outright. 
Thanks to immunizations, few Americans today have any direct knowledge 
of once commonplace scourges like polio, smallpox, measles, and 
diphtheria. For most of us, the deaths, suffering, and disability 
associated with these diseases are now known only through textbooks and 
old newspaper accounts.
  The National Infant Immunization Week is a time to reflect on these 
achievements. More importantly, this week is also a reminder that we 
cannot lose ground by becoming complacent or taking the benefits of 
immunizations for granted. Approximately 1 million children in this 
country are not fully immunized by age two and many regions of the 
country have disturbingly low immunization rates. In my home State of 
Nevada, the immunization rate for infants and young children is ranked 
last in the country.
  Fortunately, there are Federal and State programs that work to 
provide lifesaving vaccinations to children and adults who would 
otherwise have to go without. During this year's National Infant 
Immunization Week, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to support these 
efforts. By promoting access to immunizations against serious but 
preventable diseases, we can work to ensure that all Americans will 
benefit from this invaluable public health tool for generations to 
come.

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