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
NIAM Proclamation
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, Student Immunization Survey (SIS) data reported by the Virginia Department of Health show that rates of adequately immunized children entering Kindergarten in the Commonwealth of Virginia reflect significant geographic disparities,2 and
Whereas, raising the rates of routine vaccination for adults and children that have decreased over the past 5 years is essential for protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks, as seen with recent measles outbreaks across the East Coast,3 and
Whereas, ensuring all Virginians are educated about Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations regarding vaccines across the lifespan, particularly in regard to the meningococcal disease outbreak in Virginia from 2022-2024,4 and
Whereas, in the 30 years since the Vaccines for Children program was created by Congress, the vaccination of children born in the United States will prevent 472 million illnesses, 29.8 million hospitalizations and $2.2 trillion in total societal costs, 5 and
Whereas, 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 Commonwealth of Virginia strives to be the healthiest state in the nation and 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 recommended CDC immunization schedules,4 and
Resolved, that ImmunizeVA will work to increase routine vaccination rates in accordance with recommended CDC immunization schedules to ease unnecessary burdens on healthcare systems and comorbidities during the upcoming fall and winter respiratory illness season, and
Resolved, that ImmunizeVA support a strong and vital immunization program that promotes collaboration among 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.vdh.virginia.gov/immunization/sis-reports-2021-present/
