ANCHORAGE — State public health centers, along with the Municipality of Anchorage, will waive all immunization administration fees for all ages during National Infant Immunization Week, April 18–25, 2015. The annual observation is a perfect time to update your and your children’s vaccinations at no cost for those who qualify.

National Infant Immunization Week highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. “We all want to do what is best for our kids and grandkids. As the recent outbreaks of measles and whooping cough have reminded us, as long as vaccine-preventable infections are anywhere in the world, they are a threat to us in Alaska. The shield of immunity is the best protection,” said Jay Butler, MD, an infectious diseases physician and Chief Medical Officer, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

Since 1994, this special week has served as a call to action for parents, care givers and health care providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. “Alaska’s babies are now living happier, healthier lives thanks to immunizations,” said Linda Worman, Chief, Section of Public Health Nursing, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

We encourage you to contact your local public health center for more information and eligibility. Since all immunization administration fees are being waived, moms, dads, and other family members are urged to get up-to-date on their own vaccinations as well. Administrative fees for regular non-immunization services will still apply.

For a list of all public health centers in Alaska go to: https://dhss.alaska.gov/dph/Nursing/Pages/locations.aspx.

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