Infant Immunization Rates in the State Improving

Protect Hawaii's Keiki – Make a Date to Vaccinate

According to the most recent National Immunization Survey data, the percentage of Hawaii’s keiki who are up-to-date on their immunizations rose more than 8 percent over the previous year. However, Hawaii is still about 9% below the Healthy People 2010 goal of having 90% of our keiki up-to-date on their immunizations at age 2.

"Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases like measles, whooping cough, and hepatitis B. Although immunization coverage among children in Hawaii is at its highest since 1999, thousands of Hawaii’s children are still not fully immunized," said Dr. Paul Effler, State Epidemiologist.

Beginning in June, theDepartment of Health’sProtect Hawaii’s Keiki, Make a Date to Vaccinate public education campaign will raise awareness of the need for timely infant and toddler immunization. CNumerous community partners – Burger King, Costco, Kmart, Foodland, Meadow Gold, Star Market, Times Supermarkets, Walmart, and Zippy’s – have teamed up with the Department of Health to promote immunizations by distributing or displaying print materials. In addition, two public service announcements (PSAs) that feature babies encouraging their parents to vaccinate them "on time, every time", will be aired during the month of June.

For more information about infant immunization, visit www.vaxhawaii.com or contact the Department of Health at 586-8332.  Neighbor island calls are toll-free at 1-800-933-4832.
Free or low-cost shots for keiki are available for families without insurance.  To find a clinic in your neighborhood, please please call Aloha United Way at 2-1-1. Calls are free from all islands, and lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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For more information, contact:

Judy Strait-Jones
Public Health Educator, Immunization Branch
Phone: (808) 586-8321
Email: Judy.Strait-Jones@mail.health.state.hi.us

Janice Okubo
Communications Office
Phone: (808) 586-4418
Email: jsokubo@mail.health.state.hi.us