Guest(s)
Dr. Alanna Levine M.D.
Topic
National Infant Immunization Week
Topic Info
American Academy of Pediatrics Launches “Protect Tomorrow” Campaign Bringing History to Life So Vaccine-Preventable Illnesses Don’t Re-Emerge
New Campaign Supports National Infant Immunization Week WHAT: To commemorate National Infant Immunization Week (April 24-May 1), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is launching the Protect Tomorrow campaign. There are many life-threatening infectious diseases – such as pertussis, diphtheria, mumps and measles – which were witnessed first-hand by our parents and grandparents. These diseases are now largely preventable because of vaccines, and, if children are not fully immunized, history can repeat itself. The Protect Tomorrow campaign was designed to bring to life the memories of these terrible diseases, remind parents how devastating these illnesses can be and urge them to talk with their pediatricians about vaccinating their children.
The core components of the educational campaign are TV and radio public service announcements that help all of us to remember the devastation of the diseases that can now be largely prevented by vaccines. To complement the PSAs, there are resources online at ProtectTomorrow.org, where three individuals featured in the TV PSA recount their personal experiences with vaccine-preventable diseases. Those who log on can also access information about vaccines, including the recommended infant immunization schedule from the AAP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
WHY: Despite the vast body of evidence that shows the public health benefits of vaccines, challenges still exist that stand in the way of full immunization of American children. Today’s generation of young parents simply doesn’t remember the diseases – such as whooping cough, polio, rubella and measles – that were once widespread.
National Infant Immunization Week is commemorated by the CDC each year to remind parents about the benefits of vaccination and the importance of routine childhood vaccination. There are now vaccines available to help protect children against 14 diseases before age 2. According to the CDC, despite recent gains in infant immunization coverage, more than 20 percent of the nation?s 2-year-olds are not fully immunized against infectious diseases to which they are especially vulnerable. While vaccine-preventable diseases are at an all-time low in the U.S., these diseases still exist and continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks.
To learn more about the Protect Tomorrow campaign and the infant immunization schedule, please visit ProtectTomorrow.org.
Dr Alanna Levine comes on the show with her father, Len Estin, a polio survivor, to discuss the importance of maintaining the reccommended vaccine schedule for our children.
New Campaign Supports National Infant Immunization Week WHAT: To commemorate National Infant Immunization Week (April 24-May 1), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is launching the Protect Tomorrow campaign. There are many life-threatening infectious diseases – such as pertussis, diphtheria, mumps and measles – which were witnessed first-hand by our parents and grandparents. These diseases are now largely preventable because of vaccines, and, if children are not fully immunized, history can repeat itself. The Protect Tomorrow campaign was designed to bring to life the memories of these terrible diseases, remind parents how devastating these illnesses can be and urge them to talk with their pediatricians about vaccinating their children.
The core components of the educational campaign are TV and radio public service announcements that help all of us to remember the devastation of the diseases that can now be largely prevented by vaccines. To complement the PSAs, there are resources online at ProtectTomorrow.org, where three individuals featured in the TV PSA recount their personal experiences with vaccine-preventable diseases. Those who log on can also access information about vaccines, including the recommended infant immunization schedule from the AAP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
WHY: Despite the vast body of evidence that shows the public health benefits of vaccines, challenges still exist that stand in the way of full immunization of American children. Today’s generation of young parents simply doesn’t remember the diseases – such as whooping cough, polio, rubella and measles – that were once widespread.
National Infant Immunization Week is commemorated by the CDC each year to remind parents about the benefits of vaccination and the importance of routine childhood vaccination. There are now vaccines available to help protect children against 14 diseases before age 2. According to the CDC, despite recent gains in infant immunization coverage, more than 20 percent of the nation?s 2-year-olds are not fully immunized against infectious diseases to which they are especially vulnerable. While vaccine-preventable diseases are at an all-time low in the U.S., these diseases still exist and continued vaccination is necessary to protect everyone from potential outbreaks.
To learn more about the Protect Tomorrow campaign and the infant immunization schedule, please visit ProtectTomorrow.org.
Dr Alanna Levine comes on the show with her father, Len Estin, a polio survivor, to discuss the importance of maintaining the reccommended vaccine schedule for our children.
Guest Info
Dr. Levine is a pediatrician in private practice at Orangetown Pediatric Associates in Tappan, NY. She is also an attending at Englewood Hospital in New Jersey. Dr. Levine completed her internship and residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. She obtained her medical degree from the Sackler School of Medicine in Tel Aviv, Israel and a Masters in Medical Sciences from Boston University. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin with a major in Psychology.
As a member of both the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media and the National Association of Medical Communicators, Dr. Levine regularly appears on television translating complicated medical topics into easy to understand useful information for parents. As a working mother of two, Dr. Levine has a unique perspective on pediatrics, parenting issues, and the challenges many working mothers face.
As a member of both the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Communications and Media and the National Association of Medical Communicators, Dr. Levine regularly appears on television translating complicated medical topics into easy to understand useful information for parents. As a working mother of two, Dr. Levine has a unique perspective on pediatrics, parenting issues, and the challenges many working mothers face.
Website
Host
Melanie Cole, M.S.
Original Air Date
5 / 5 / 2010
