August is National Immunization Awareness Month and it is held to observe the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages. It is said that immunizations prevent about 3 million deaths a year! One of the largest immunizations is the flu vaccination, which prevents around 5.3 million illnesses a year. Immunizations don’t protect just individual children or adults; they protect the entire community.
Why Vaccinate?
- vaccinations work and can prevent a lot of unwanted illnesses
- vaccinations are safe, before a vaccine is licensed in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviews all aspects of development
- vaccinations are necessary, much like the measles epidemic that just went around, it proves that vaccines are good to help prevent that and other illnesses
- vaccinations save lives – vaccines save more lives than seat belts in the United States
3 Ways to Increase Vaccination Awareness:
- Talk to friends and family about how vaccines aren’t just for kids
- Encourage people in your community to get the flu vaccine each year
- Invite a nurse to speak to parents about why it is important to vaccinate kids