August is National Immunization Awareness Month

08/06/2015
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National Immunization Awareness Month:
Time for Seniors to Ensure They’re Immunizations are Up-to-Date

Immunization helps prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. To stay protected against serious illnesses like the flu, measles, and pneumonia, senior adults need to get their shots just like kids do. National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is a great time to promote vaccines and remind family, friends, and coworkers to stay up to date on their shots.

Each year in August, NIAM provides an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan, from childhood into our senior years. With the key message “People of all ages can protect their health with timely vaccination”, activities during the month of August focus on encouraging all people to protect their health by being vaccinated against infectious diseases. In 2015, the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) is coordinating NIAM activities.

How can National Immunization Awareness Month make a difference?

We can all use this month to raise awareness about vaccines and share strategies to increase immunization rates with our community.
Here are just a few ideas:

  • Talk to friends and family members about how vaccines aren’t just for kids. People of all ages can get shots to protect them from serious diseases
  • Encourage people in your community to get the flu vaccine every year
  • Invite a doctor or nurse to speak to parents about why it’s important for all kids and seniors to get vaccinated

Get a toolkit to help raise awareness about immunization

The National Immunization Awareness Month Communication Toolkit was developed by NPHIC, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to help you communicate the importance of vaccination throughout one’s lifespan. Each week of NIAM will focus on a different stage of life:

  • Preteens and Teens (Aug. 2-8)
  • Pregnant Women (Aug. 9-15)
  • Adults (Aug. 16-22)
  • Infants and Children (Aug. 23-29)

The following link from the CDC shows the 2015 recommended immunizations by age.
Talk to your healthcare professional about these vaccines today.

 

BLOG Date: Thursday, August 6, 2015
Writer: Ryan Allen