August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This national health observance, sponsored by National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides an opportunity to highlight the value of immunization across the lifespan.
Healthy People 2020, a federal policy initiative that establishes national public health objectives with 10-year targets and monitors progress over time in meeting those targets, includes several objectives under the topic of Immunization and Infectious Disease aimed at increasing vaccine coverage and reducing vaccine preventable diseases. A story from Healthy People 2020’s Who’s Leading the Leading Health Indicators? monthly bulletin shows how the Arizona Partnership for Immunization worked to increase the number of fully immunized children, adolescents, and adults in the state through advocacy, provider training, and community awareness and education. This non-profit, statewide coalition of over 400 members from both the public and private sector includes local public health departments, state and private Medicaid offices, community health centers, professional associations, advocacy organizations, and health care providers. Read the full story on HealthyPeople.gov.
For more information:
- Find tools and resources to promote National Immunization Awareness Month
- Learn more about National Health Observances