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NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS NEED IN TRENTON
Work of Children’s Futures Shows Immunizations for All Infants Is Possible Trenton, NJ, April 24, 2009— Nearly one million children in the U.S. live without the benefits of full immunization. These children are at risk of serious illness and death from vaccine preventable diseases. With the nation observing National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) from April 25 through May 2, Children’s Futures (CF) calls upon all parents, caregivers and healthcare providers to ensure Trenton’s infants and children have been immunized. CF, a Trenton-based non-profit collaborative dedicated to improving childhood health and school readiness, is equipping its Family Success/Parent Child Centers with updated information about the need and availability of vaccines and immunizations. The organization has had particular success in promoting immunizations in the zero to three age range. Six years of CF research and data collection indicates tremendous progress is possible in boosting Trenton immunization rates. In 2008, for example, 240 of Trenton’s pregnant women were cared for by one of two Children’s Futures evidence-based home visiting programs: The Healthy Families Program, which provides home visitation to pregnant women or families with children, and The Nurse Family Partnership Program which serves first-time, low income pregnant women. All of the pregnant women enrolled in home visitation received prenatal care and nearly 100% had a postpartum check-up in 2008. All children enrolled had medical homes and insurance and nearly 100% were on target with immunizations. “National Infant Immunization Week provides a valuable reminder to all families in New Jersey that it is critical to keep their children up to date on vaccines and protected from dangerous diseases,” said Floyd Morris, President of Children’s Futures. “The nearly 100% infant immunization rate achieved through our home visiting programs is clear evidence that the right model can make a difference and be replicated in urban areas where immunization rates are generally declining. The key to reaching the maximum number of children is coordinating the efforts of parents, doctors and the government – true collaboration means magic can happen.” As a another facet of its collaborative model, CF also partners with the Pediatric Council on Research and Education (PCORE) Foundation of The New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics to help 11 primary care practices in Trenton implement and measure office-based improvements to address early childhood prevention issues such as immunizations. Families interested in information on vaccine schedules and other materials related to National Infant Immunization Week can visit one of CF’s Family Success/Parent Child Centers: • Mercer Street Friends West Ward Center 222N. Hermitage Ave.-2nd Floor, 989-1295 • Catholic Charities/El Centro South Ward Centers 342 Home Avenue, 393-7802 327 South Broad Street, 394-2056 • St. Francis Medical Center East Ward Center 601 Hamilton Avenue - Crean Hall, 599-5764 • Children’s Home Society North and South Ward Centers North Ward-1554 Princeton Avenue, 393-2980 South Ward-635 South Clinton Avenue, 695-6274 • UIH Family Partners’ Father Center 4 North Broad Street, 695-3663 About National Infant Immunization Week National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases About Children’s Futures Children’s Futures Inc. (CF) is a nationally recognized, Trenton, New Jersey-based nonprofit organization created to improve health and developmental outcomes for children. As a major catalyst for change, CF also advocates for important policy initiatives to improve maternal and child health; convenes local stakeholders to model best practices on early childhood development; provides technical assistance and training for service providers; and serves as a clearinghouse of objective child health information. Core to CF is its role in Trenton directing a seven-year collaboration of health, social service, and educational institutions that work together to implement innovative approaches to improving child health and development at scale. CF began in 2001 with support that continues from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans. Children's Futures is part of Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Vulnerable Populations Portfolio, which is dedicated to examining the critical relationships between health and where and how people live, work, learn and play. For more information about Children’s Futures and the programs offered, please visit www.childrensfutures.org. |