National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities.
Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases.
But these days, the decision of whether or not to vaccinate can be a tough one. Parents may be influenced by their healthcare providers, family members, friends and the media.
In a study in the May 2013 Pediatrics, researchers analyzed the role these social networks play in parents' decisions about immunization.
In this interview, we help you sort through the sources of information and make recommendations for parents to use as a way to learn about their baby's vaccines. In addition, we delve into the role of parents when making decisions about vaccinating their children.
Selected Podcast
Parents' Social Networks Play a Role in the Decision to Vaccinate
Featuring:
Dr. Chandra practices pediatrics with Northwestern Memorial Physician's Group in Chicago. Originally from Ohio, she received her bachelor's degree from Miami University in 1991 and medical degree from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in 1995. After completing her residency at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, she worked as a pediatric hospitalist and then joined her current practice. Dr. Chandra maintains a strong affiliation with the medical school as an Instructor in Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University. She serves as faculty tutor for the Problem Based Learning Curriculum and was appointed to the Medical School's Curriculum Committee. Over the years she worked in various capacities with the AAP Illinois Chapter. She serves on the Committee on Infectious Diseases and is faculty with both the Reaching Our Goals and Adolescent Immunization Projects.
Dr. Chandra's professional interests are focused on being a champion of childhood immunizations both in the office and in the media. She is a Media Spokesperson for the AAP and regularly has the opportunity to discuss pediatric topics for TV news, print media and various online parenting resources. Outside of work, Anita chairs the SEED Foundation, a nonprofit scholarship foundation serving Indian high school students. She is married with four young children, and enjoys photography, music, Indian folk dance and event planning.
Dr. Anita Chandra, MD
Dr. Chandra practices pediatrics with Northwestern Memorial Physician's Group in Chicago. Originally from Ohio, she received her bachelor's degree from Miami University in 1991 and medical degree from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine in 1995. After completing her residency at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, she worked as a pediatric hospitalist and then joined her current practice. Dr. Chandra maintains a strong affiliation with the medical school as an Instructor in Clinical Pediatrics at Northwestern University. She serves as faculty tutor for the Problem Based Learning Curriculum and was appointed to the Medical School's Curriculum Committee. Over the years she worked in various capacities with the AAP Illinois Chapter. She serves on the Committee on Infectious Diseases and is faculty with both the Reaching Our Goals and Adolescent Immunization Projects.Dr. Chandra's professional interests are focused on being a champion of childhood immunizations both in the office and in the media. She is a Media Spokesperson for the AAP and regularly has the opportunity to discuss pediatric topics for TV news, print media and various online parenting resources. Outside of work, Anita chairs the SEED Foundation, a nonprofit scholarship foundation serving Indian high school students. She is married with four young children, and enjoys photography, music, Indian folk dance and event planning.