At a glance: The August observation of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is a great way to rally local organizations in your immunization education efforts. A free NIAM promotional kit offers a variety of template materials, such as brochures and news releases, that communities can easily customize and use at or in conjunction with local health screenings or fairs, media events and other related immunization outreach efforts. Visit (www.partnersforimmunization.org/niam.html) to order your free promotional kit and to view and download related materials, including flyers, stickers and bookmarks.
Overview of NIAM
August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). The goal of NIAM is to increase awareness about immunizations across the lifespan, from infants to the elderly.
This year’s campaign is focused around the theme, “Are You Up to Date? Vaccinate!,” to remind people of all ages of the importance of immunization. August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, co-workers, and those in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college, and health care workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season.
Why are immunizations important?
Immunization was one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections.
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Who should be immunized?
Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease.
When are immunizations given?
Because children are particularly vulnerable to infection, most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of life. Other immunizations are recommended during adolescent or adult years and, for certain vaccines, booster immunization are recommended throughout life. Vaccines against certain diseases that may be encountered when traveling outside of the U.S. are recommended for travelers to specific regions of the world.
A variety of resources promoting immunization and NIAM, including brochures, stickers, posters and information about various community initiatives, are available by visiting the National Partnership for Immunization web site at www.partnersforimmunization.org.
Contact information:
To request your complimentary copy of the NIAM Promotional Kit, contact NPI at (703) 836-6110 or by e-mail at npi@hmhb.org. For bulk orders, please complete and mail the following bulk order form.
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http://www.cdc.gov/nip/events/niam/default.htm
