SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – As a parent, you know about the importance of car seats, baby gates and other ways to keep infants safe. But, do you know that one of the best ways to protect your children is to make sure they have all of their vaccinations?

“All children should be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two,” said Paulette Schnell, RN, of Regional West Community Health. “Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease, parents often are unaware that their children are at risk for so many serious and life-threatening diseases.”

This week is National Infant Immunization Week. Schnell and other community health nurses are marking the occasion by advising parents of the importance of getting infants immunized and keeping immunizations up to date.

Vaccines not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases.

“One example of the seriousness of vaccine-preventable diseases was the California whooping cough epidemic of 2010, resulting in the death of 10 infants. Nationally, more than 20,000 cases of the whooping cough were reported in 2010. We had several cases in the panhandle,” said Schnell.

Immunization is extremely safe. Vaccines are thoroughly tested before being approved for public use and monitored carefully by doctors, researchers and public health officials. Reported links between autism and childhood vaccinations have been disproved. The single, small British study the reports were based on was not conducted scientifically.

Schnell tells parents that their families will also benefit financially by keeping childhood immunizations up to date.

“By preventing disease, vaccines also reduce the costs associated with missed time from work, doctor visits, and hospitalizations.” She said.

Regional West Community Health offers immunizations for newborns through 18-year-olds on a donation basis. Immunization clinics are held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 3 to 7 p.m. and on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to1 p.m. Please call 308-630-1126 for an appointment. No child will be turned away due to inability to pay.

Vaccinations are also available from local health care providers.

The Regional West Medical Center Community Health Office and Immunization Clinic has been relocated due to construction. The new, temporary office is now located in Regional West Medical Plaza North, Two West 42nd Street, Suite 1300, Scottsbluff. The office will remain at the North Plaza until July.

Regional West Health Services is the parent company for Regional West Medical Center and Regional West Physicians Clinic. These organizations, with over 1,800 employees, provide comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, the Regional West family of health care organizations offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties.