National Immunization Awareness Month

Posted by Patricia Devine on July 7th, 2017 Posted in: Health Literacy, Health Observances, Public Health

---

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and  great time to educate about the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages. National Immunization Awareness Month is sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC), and is an opportunity for communities to promote understanding about the role of vaccination in preventing diseases, which can be more serious, or even fatal, in some populations. The NPHIC website offers toolkits and ideas for organizations to use to raise awareness during this month. Suggested themes for August 2017 are:

• July/August: Back to School: Ready for school? Make sure those vaccine records are up to date!
• July 31 – August 6: Babies and Young Children: A healthy start begins with on-time vaccinations.
• August 7-13: Pregnant Women: Protect yourself and pass protection on to your baby.
• August 14-20: Adults: Vaccines are not just for kids.
• August 21-27: Preteens/Teens: Ensure a healthy future with vaccines.

The National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus website provides information on immunization, including basic information, recommendations for adults over 50, links to research and clinical trials, videos and tutorials, and latest news.

Healthfinder.gov also offers resources, such as sample announcements for social media and press releases. It’s also a great time to remind friends, family and coworkers about the importance of vaccines, and information is provided here.

Recommended immunizations are available via a short quiz format from the Centers for Disease Control, along with schedules for the use of healthcare providers.