Bernie Discusses Immunization Awareness Month Today

Immunization is a critical health issue. Through the years, vaccines have eradicated smallpox, virtually eliminated wild polio virus in the U.S., and significantly reduced the number of reported cases of measles and other diseases. Join me at 5 pm today when I speak with Ms. Corliss Hill, National Director of United Health Care’s Generation of Wellness.

African Americans have 2.3-times the infant mortality rate as non-hispanic white Americans, and they are four-times as likely to die of complications related to low birth weight. These statistics from the Office of Minority Health paint a bleak picture, one that is further reinforced by the fact that African American mothers are 2.6-times more likely than Caucasian mothers to begin prenatal care late or not at all. With that in mind, it’s time for for a dose of encouragement. Let the change begin in August during National Immunization Awareness Month.