August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). NIAM raises the awareness about why vaccines are important for people of all ages and how they can help prevent serious, sometimes deadly, diseases and illnesses. NIAM is now more important than ever with the emergence of diseases such as COVID-19.
Immunizations play an important role in keeping your family and your community healthy. Vaccinations are important because they not only protect the person who is receiving the vaccine, but they also help to keep diseases from spreading to others such as your family, neighbors, classmates, coworkers, and other members of the community. Immunization helps protect those who are the most vulnerable to illness, such as infants, elders, and those with weakened immune systems.
Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. In the United States, vaccines have greatly reduced infectious diseases that once routinely caused severe illness and death. According to the CDC, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic approximately 50,000 adults died every year from vaccine-preventable illnesses. During NIAM, we encourage you to talk to your doctor, nurse, or healthcare professional to ensure that you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccinations.
Although no vaccine is 100% effective, it is the first step in protecting yourself, your family, and others from serious illness.
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