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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

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August 2014 is National Immunization Awareness Month

Image of Margo Kerrigan
Margo Kerrigan, M.P.H, Area Director

Indian Health Service California Area Office

 

 

 

National Immunization Awareness Month

Immunization helps prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. To stay protected against serious illnesses like the flu, measles, and tuberculosis, adults need to get their shots – just like kids do.

National Immunization Awareness Month is a great time to promote vaccines and remind family, friends, and coworkers to stay up to date on their shots.

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.

The California Area-wide final results for the 3 GPRA immunization measures in 2013 were:

Adult Influenza 65+ : 57.5%

Adult Pneumovax 65+ : 83.9%

Childhood Immunizations (4313*314): 62.2%

Get Involved

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 shot every year
  • Invite a doctor or nurse to speak to parents about why it’s important for all kids to get vaccinated

Take action to raise awareness about the importance of immunizations:

  • Organize a free or low-cost immunization clinic at a local community or health center
  • Distribute vaccination record cards with space for people to record the names and dates of their shots. Include helpful facts and phone numbers
  • Partner with a school nurse to host an educational event for parents about the importance of immunizations
  • Post fliers around your office to remind people to get their shots.
  • Work with local summer camps to make sure children get important shots before attending camp
Share These Resources

Health Topics:

Get Important Shots
http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-visits/shotsvaccines/get-important-shots Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov

Get Your Child’s Shots on Schedule
http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-visits/shotsvaccines/get-your-childs-shots-on-schedule Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Get Your Pre-teen’s Shots on Schedule
http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-visits/shotsvaccines/get-your-pre-teens-shots-on-schedule Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Prepare for a Flu Pandemic
http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/everyday-healthy-living/safety/prepare-for-a-flu-pandemic Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Protect Yourself from Seasonal Flu
http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-visits/shotsvaccines/protect-yourself-from-seasonal-flu Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Healthy People Topic Area

Immunization and Infections Diseases 
http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=23 Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Personal Health Tools

Adolescent and Adult Vaccine Quiz
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultImmSched/ Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Childhood Immunization Scheduler
http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/kidstuff/newscheduler_le Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Flu Clinic Locator
http://flushot.healthmap.org/ Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Traveling Outside the U.S.
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Catch-up Immunization Schedule
https://www.vacscheduler.org/scheduler.html?v=patient Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

Other Resources

Vaccines
http://www.healthfinder.gov/FindServices/SearchContext.aspx?topic=2158 Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov 

For more information and materials, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/ Exit Disclaimer: You Are Leaving www.ihs.gov  at cdcinfo@cdc.gov.