National Immunization Awareness Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance emphasizes the importance of protecting yourself and fellow community members against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Between the new BA.5 subvariant of COVID-19, delays in getting routine vaccinations due to the ongoing pandemic, and the upcoming flu season, it’s more important now than ever for everyone to get the vaccines available to them. You have the power to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.
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PRESS RELEASE
“Neglecting vaccines could lead to an outbreak of dangerous illnesses in Virginia. Timing and action are important for the best possible protection from vaccine preventable diseases”
- Dr. Carolyn Moneymaker, Chair of ImmunizeVA, Pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and Virginia Chapter Immunization Representative to the American Academy of Pediatrics
Flat Tracker Contest
We've all heard of Flat Stanley, but meet Flat Tracker! For the entire month of August, take Tracker around with you and document your adventures together. Share them with us for a chance to have your entry spotlighted on social media, and to even win some fun educational prizes.
Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranks vaccination among the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century,1 and
Whereas, according to the CDC, efforts to reduce transmission of COVID-19, have led many to miss their doctor’s visits where they would receive their scheduled immunizations, 2 and
Whereas, a recent study found due to the pandemic, teens and adults have missed more than 37 million doses of recommended vaccines between June 2020 – July 2021,3 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported, in May 2021, that provider orders for non-influenza childhood vaccines through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program had decreased by a total of about 11.7 million doses during the COVID-19 pandemic,4 and
Whereas, raising the rates of routine vaccination that have dramatically fallen during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential for protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks, and ensuring all Virginians are educated about the student vaccination requirements that align with national CDC recommendations,5,6 and
Whereas, the vaccination of children born in the United States between 1994 and 2018 will prevent 419 million illnesses, 936,000 deaths and $1.9 trillion in total societal costs,7 and vaccines are demonstrated to be an exceptionally safe method to prevent disease, as they are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored to ensure safety, and
Whereas, the state of Virginia strives to protect all its residents, both young and old, from preventable diseases, therefore be it
Resolved, that ImmunizeVA encourage that all vaccines for children due or overdue should be administered according to the guidelines set forth by HB1090 following the recommended CDC immunization schedules,6 and
Resolved, that ImmunizeVA will work to increase influenza and pneumonia vaccination rates to ease unnecessary burdens on healthcare systems and comorbidities during the upcoming fall and winter flu and pneumonia season, and
Resolved, that ImmunizeVA continue its efforts to encourage residents to become fully vaccinated and boosted against the COVID-19 virus, and
Resolved, that ImmunizeVA support a strong and vital immunization program that promotes a strong vaccinator neighborhood and includes pharmacists, nurses and physicians, and
Resolved, that August be recognized by ImmunizeVA as Immunization Awareness Month in Virginia.
1 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056796.htm
2 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance/index.html
3 https://avalere.com/insights/declines-in-routine-adult-and-teen-vaccinations-continued-in-2021
5 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pandemic-guidance/index.html
6 https://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP1223
7 https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/protecting-children.html
