Child immunization programs received $289 million Wednesday to expand clinic hours, hire nurses and reach more children in the nation's inner cities and rural areas, Health and Human Services officials said.
Secretary Donna Shalala announced the immunization grants during a tour of a child-care center in Washington that serves disadvantaged children, including homeless and HIV-positive preschoolers, the officials said.Her announcement also comes as 11 top Clinton administration officials were fanning out to visit day-care centers, hospitals and clinics to sell the president's health-care plan.
Shalala said the immunization grants, released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "represent an unprecedented increase in funding" for child immunization programs in the states, major cities and U.S. territories.
Dr. Philip R. Lee, who runs the U.S. Public Health Service, said the grants will mean "fewer sick children and fewer children disabled by measles, mumps, whooping cough and meningitis."