US state health immunization experts have launched a state wide immunization campaign entitled, “Immunize for Good.” The campaign's goal is to communicate to parents who are vaccinating their children that they are making the right decision since vaccinations are safe and effective in preventing serious childhood illness.
Initiated by the Vaccine Advisory Committee of Colorado and funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Immunization Programme, campaign messages also encourage parents who have questions or concerns about vaccines to educate themselves as they make their decision about immunizations.
“Given the controversial nature of much of the immunization information available on the Internet, Coloradans might be surprised to learn most parents in the state do choose to immunize their children,” said Joni Reynolds, director of the Colorado Immunization Program at the Department of Public Health and Environment. “It's our hope this campaign helps parents – and parents-to-be – to learn the facts and feel confident about their decision to vaccinate their children.”
The campaign includes a video called “The Bathroom Tango,” that takes a humorous look at a mom trying to protect her infant daughter from germs in a public rest room. The video's takeaway message is, “With all we do to protect our children, we shouldn't forget one of the most important and basic protections—immunizations.”
Lastly, the campaign includes billboards and radio announcements that reinforce the “Immunize for Good” campaign messages (Respect the facts, protect your child and immunize for good). The announcements feature children saying, “I'm good,” to emphasize they are good to go out and explore the world because they're immunized.
Lydia McCoy, executive director of the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition, a partner in the creation of the campaign, said, “The coalition is proud to have helped shape and deliver this campaign. Colorado is fortunate to have such an accessible and content-rich online resource to help parents make their vaccination decisions.”
A 2010 national survey shows that while 88 per cent of parents follow the CDC-recommended vaccine schedule, over half, 54 per cent, are concerned about vaccines. In Colorado, parents overwhelmingly choose to vaccinate their children. In 2009, 79 per cent of Colorado children were fully vaccinated by age 2.
“We applaud all parents for everything they do day in and day out to protect their children,” Reynolds said. “Vaccines are the best protection from many childhood diseases.”