Asmaa Ismael – EMSC Intern
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), which is observed every August, is an initiative aimed at promoting the importance of immunization and encouraging individuals of all ages to get vaccinated. Vaccination serves as the best protection for individuals and communities against infectious diseases. And the continued promotion of immunization is essential for maintaining public health and preventing the resurgence of preventable diseases.
Immunization is the reason why many infectious diseases, like polio and measles, which had once led to the deaths of millions of people all around the world have been eradicated and greatly reduced. Over the past fifty years, immunization has saved up to 154 million lives, a vast majority of which were infants (WHO, 2024). However, if people don’t continue to get immunized and vaccination rates decline, this can cause a resurgence in diseases. According to the CDC, “… millions of children missed vaccinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in an 18% increase in estimated measles cases and a 43% increase in estimated measles deaths in 2022 compared with 2021” (CDC, 2023). Minnesota specifically has seen an uptick in measles cases amongst unvaccinated children this year and over 50% of these children ended up being hospitalized (Ryan, 2024). When individuals, especially children, aren’t vaccinated, it leaves their immune systems vulnerable to diseases and increases their risk of becoming seriously ill, getting hospitalized, or dying. On the other hand, vaccination helps one’s immune system strengthen its natural defenses and promotes health and wellness.
Vaccines don’t just protect individuals from death and adverse health outcomes, they also help safeguard community health through herd immunity. Herd immunity refers to when a high percentage of the population is vaccinated and this leads to the resistance of the spread of an infectious disease within a community. Collective immunity helps preserve the well-being of vulnerable populations within a community such as the elderly, infants, and those with compromised immune systems.
Healthcare workers play a crucial role during National Immunization Awareness Month, as they assist health agencies and healthcare organizations in informing the public about the risks that come with not getting vaccinated, recommending vaccines for different age groups, and encouraging families and individuals to get caught up on routine vaccinations. By raising awareness, this month helps people protect not only themselves, but also their loved ones and communities.
Access to immunizations is critical for maintaining public health, and fortunately, there are a number of programs and resources, often supported by local health departments, that help provide free or low-cost vaccines to individuals who might otherwise struggle to afford them.
Where to find free or low-cost immunizations:
- Visit the CDC Vaccine for Children website to identify your state’s VFC coordinator and contact them to learn about your child’s eligibility to receive free immunizations.
- Reach out to your state or local health department to learn whether you or your child are eligible for free immunizations. Here’s a list of state health departments and their contact information that you can use.
- Dial 2-1-1 and you’ll be connected to a service that will provide you with information about health and social services in your local area.
Get vaccinated today to protect yourself and your community from preventable diseases!
Learn More:
- Information for parents: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/visit/vaccination-during-COVID-19.html
- Get a schedule of regular childhood immunizations: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/schedules/index.html
- Diseases that vaccines prevent: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/diseases/index.html
- For adults: Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool: https://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/
Sources
Minta, A., Ferrari, M, et al. (2023). Progress Toward Measles Elimination — Worldwide, 2000–2022. CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7246a3.htm.
Ryan, D. (2024). Health Officials Confirm Three Measles Cases in Metro Area. MN Department of Health. Retrieved from https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2024/measles072524.html.
WHO. (2024). Global immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years. World Health Organization. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news/item/24-04-2024-global-immunization-efforts-have-saved-at-least-154-million-lives-over-the-past-50-years.