Hays County Commissioners Court Proclaims April 21-28 As National Infant Immunization Week In Hays County

Last year, Texas saw the highest number of mumps cases it has seen since the mumps vaccine was invented in 1959.

Hays County Courthouse, San Marcos, TX – The Hays County Commissioners Court has proclaimed April 21-28 as National Infant Immunization Week in Hays County. Court members urged parents to ensure their children are immunized, and thanked the Hays County Local Health Department staff for their outreach to parents.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant noted that he was a member of the generation that saw the end of polio, and recalled that prior to the vaccine he saw the attempts people made to try to prevent the spread of polio, “and the vaccine took care of that.”

Following are remarks made by Local Health Department Epidemiologist Eric Schneider to the Commissioners Court in support of National Infant Immunization Week:

National Infant Immunization Week is a week of observance highlighting the importance of protecting infants from vaccine preventable diseases, and to celebrate the achievements of immunization programs that promote healthy communities throughout the United States.

When this annual event began in 1994, immunization programs were facing significant challenges. The nation was in the midst of a serious measles outbreak and communities across the United State were seeing decreasing immunization rates among children.

Because of the advancements of medicine, there are now 14 debilitating and potentially deadly diseases that can be prevented by vaccines if a child is properly immunized before the age of two.

Today however, we are seeing history repeat itself. Faulty research and social media have lead uninformed parents to justify the anti-vaccine movement.

As a result, vaccination rates are beginning to dip again and outbreaks of potentially deadly diseases are on the rise throughout our nation. This is not a coincidence. When more people are vulnerable to a disease due to lack of immunizations, outbreaks can and will occur rapidly.

Last year, Texas saw the highest number of mumps cases it has seen since the mumps vaccine was invented in 1959. Last week, the Hays County Health Department was notified about two separate incidents in which an international traveler boarded a plane that landed in the US.

Both were contagious with measles, exposing everyone on their flight. And yesterday, we were informed that two elementary schools in Houston are experiencing whooping cough (pertussis) outbreaks right now. These diseases still exist and the threat of an outbreak here in Hays County is very real.

Two generations ago, vaccines helped eliminate small pox. One generation ago, vaccines helped eradicate polio from the United States.

The current generation of new parents is starting a dangerous trend of obtaining their information about vaccines from social media and celebrity spokespersons instead of a licensed health care professional. Because of this, future generations will see the rise of deadly childhood diseases again.

The Hays County Local Health Department wants to use National Infant Immunization Week to encourage parents to vaccinate your children on time and be sure to complete all of the recommended series of doses. We ask that you do your part to help protect your family, yourself, and your community.

Immunizations are offered at the Live Oak Health Partners Clinic, 401-A Broadway St., San Marcos, on a walk-in basis. The clinic accepts insurance and Medicaid, and for families that qualify for the Texas Vaccines for Children program, there is a $10 charge.

Photo Attached

Left to right, Precinct 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, Hays County Local Health Department Director and Director of Countywide Operations Clint Garza, Epidemiologist Eric Schneider, ImmTrac Specialist Josie Gonzales, Clinic Manager Margie Rodriguez, Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ray Whisenant encourage parents to ensure their young children are properly vaccinated during National Infant Immunization Week in Hays County.