BRAZOS COUNTY, Texas — April marks National Immunization Month, but the final week is specifically dedicated to a more vulnerable demographic: infants.
Vaccine Coordinator at the Brazos County Health Department, Caroline Greer explained the week and it's significance, saying "It's just a week to honor the importance of infant immunizations because it is really that first line of defense for those infants starting at 2 months old to really give them the protection against a lot of different diseases."
On Wednesday, the Brazos County Health Department offered free infant immunizations for a wide range of diseases.
"We actually give two, four and six month olds a combo vaccine that has Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Influenza, Polio, Hepatitis B, all in one vaccine, so it really helps out because its only one stick, only one shot we're having to give," explained Greer.
During the pandemic, vaccination coverage fell significantly for children living in poverty and in rural areas.
Greer provided insight on what she has seen in the community.
"So when you consider the population that serve here, a lot of them are under served, a lot of them don't have the health literacy or education that they need so the biggest thing for us is to provide that education to get them in our doors and to help them understand that we're here for them and to serve them," she said.
There are many factors that can discourage parents from taking their infants to get vaccinated, but medical professionals simply want a healthier future for everyone.
"While it may be hard to see your baby get vaccines even to maybe see them have side effects or adverse reactions but its so much worse to see them actually get sick, really sick, with that disease," Greer said.