National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month: Protecting Our Health with Vaccines

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) highlights the importance of vaccines for people of all ages. This observance emphasizes routine immunizations to prevent the spread of serious illnesses such as measles, flu, and COVID-19, and provides a platform to educate the community about vaccine safety and availability.

Three Facts:

1. Vaccines save an estimated 4-5 million lives every year worldwide by preventing deadly infectious diseases.
2. Herd immunity, achieved by vaccinating the majority of the population, protects those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.
3. Childhood immunizations are critical in preventing diseases like diphtheria, polio, and whooping cough, but adults also need vaccines, including boosters like the tetanus shot or shingles vaccine.

How to Get Involved:

1. Schedule and attend routine immunization checkups for children and adults.
2. Share vaccine information in your community to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
3. Organize or attend health fairs offering free or discounted vaccination services.

Three Resources:

1. CDC: Immunization – Resources on recommended immunization schedules and vaccines.
2. Vaccines.gov – Find vaccine locations and information about vaccine safety.
3. World Health Organization (WHO): Immunization – Global vaccine campaigns and education materials.