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Aug
08
Posted by seancorning on August 8th, 2023
Posted in: Blog
Each August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), hosted by the CDC. The purpose of NIAM is to highlight the importance of routine vaccination, particularly as it coincides with the start of Fall, one of the peaks for flu and other seasonal respiratory illnesses. Flu is a significant public health concern, and vaccination to prevent flu illness and potentially serious complications is a critical facet in reducing its annual impact. In fact, in past flu seasons, 9 out of 10 adults hospitalized for flu had at least one underlying medical condition or risk factor. Factors that increase one’s risk for flu complications include older age (over 65), asthma, heart disease, diabetes and more.
Flu season begins roughly in the fall and ends in spring the following year. Each year the CDC and other health organizations work to forecast what strains of influenza will be prevalent that year. This allows them to design the annual vaccine to target flu strains they believe will be more common, increasing its effectiveness. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee uses data collected by the CDC and other organizations to design each year’s vaccine.
NIAM isn’t just about flu vaccinations though, it’s an important reminder to keep up to date with vaccinations of all types. The CDC maintains updated information about current COVID-19 vaccination guidance. Childhood vaccination is also critical for combating illness in the young and the adults around them.
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