August is National Immunization Awareness Month

What’s the story?

• August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance to highlight the importance of vaccines to public health and encourage people of all ages to stay up to date on vaccines recommended for them. After over two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent emergence of monkeypox in the U.S., accurate information on vaccines is especially important to protect the health and lives of all. 
• Vaccines stimulate immune responses, teaching the body to recognize and defend against real diseases that an individual might encounter in the future. They are typically given through needle injections, but can also be administered as pills, nasal sprays, and other forms.

• The Biden administration declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency on Aug. 4, following the World Health Organization’s announcement declaring monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. Learn more about monkeypox and how to stay safe here.

The big picture

• Diseases that once killed or gravely sickened millions of people have now been significantly reduced, and even eliminated, due to routine vaccinations. The most popular example is smallpox, which killed hundreds of millions of people for over 3,000 years. The last natural outbreak of smallpox in the U.S. was in 1949, and with a robust global vaccination program led by the World Health Organization, smallpox was officially declared eradicated in 1980. There have been no naturally occurring cases of smallpox since, one of the biggest achievements in the history of international public health.
• Misinformation and disinformation surrounding vaccines have abounded, most especially in recent years on social media where false information can spread like wildfire. Medical mistrust and misconceptions about vaccines can lead to vaccine hesitancy, putting individuals who choose not to vaccinate and everyone they come into contact with at risk.

Spread awareness and accurate information

• Share why you choose to vaccinate on social media with the CDC’s hashtag: #ivax2protect
• Learn more about how to detect misinformation, disinformation, lies, and conspiracy theories about vaccines on social media.
• Read the Federal Drug Administration’s recognition of NIAM this year, with information on how the FDA evaluates and approves vaccines.

More resources

• Fill out the adult vaccines assessment tool from the CDC to learn about the different recommended vaccines for you. Discuss with your healthcare provider along with your vaccination record to determine if you’re up-to-date. 
• Learn more about general vaccine and immunization information from the CDC here. They also have a page dedicated to COVID-19 vaccines, booster shots, and updates.

-Casey Dawson

(Photo Credit: CDC)