National Health Observances
National Health Observance Toolkit - August
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots.
Immunizations (or vaccinations) aren’t just for babies and young kids. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone over age 6 months needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Here are some other shots people need at different ages:
Young children:
- Children under age 6 get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis.
Preteens:
- All 11- and 12-year-olds need shots to help protect against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and meningitis.
- Doctors recommend girls also get the HPV vaccine to protect against the most common cause of cervical cancer.
Adults:
- All adults need a tetanus shot every 10 years.
- People age 65 need a one-time pneumonia shot.
- Talk to your doctor or nurse about which shots you and your family need.
Sample Announcement | Sample Tweets | E-cards | Web Badges | Get Involved | Related Tools on healthfinder.gov | Resources
Get the Word Out
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Sample Media and/or Newsletter or Listserv Announcement |
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Did you know? All adults need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Learn more about other needed booster shots: http://1.usa.gov/jWTHkV.
Curious about what immunization guidelines exist for women? @womenshealth provides some answers: http://1.usa.gov/lrkVrP.
Health tip: It’s important for children to get their shots on schedule. Schedule an appointment today. Learn why: http://1.usa.gov/mHq6fu.
Preteens need to get their shots too. Learn why: http://1.usa.gov/mcaAdC.
Talk to your teen about the HPV vaccine. Start by asking her what she already knows. More info: http://1.usa.gov/lV8ww0.
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healthfinder.gov: August is National Immunization Awareness Month |
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Get Involved
Take action to raise awareness of immunizations.
- Organize a free or low-cost immunization clinic at a local community or health center.
- Create and distribute an immunization tracking card. Include space for people to record the names and dates of their shots along with helpful facts and phone numbers.
- Partner with a school nurse to host an immunization education event for parents at a local school.
- Create and distribute an immunization reminder flyer to all the members of your organization.
- Work with local summer camps to provide tips on the immunizations children need before they attend camp.
Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdcinfo@cdc.gov for more information and materials.
Related Tools on healthfinder.gov
Personal Health Tools
More Information (Health A-Z)
Quick Guide to Healthy Living
Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
National Immunization Awareness Month Sponsor
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, 2010 Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedules
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Adolescent and Adult Vaccine Quiz
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Immunizations Publications Page
- Department of Health and Human Services, Find a Flu Shot Near You
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, A Parent’s Guide to Kids’ Vaccines (PDF - 335KB)
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