August 2018 is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), an annual observance sponsored the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPIC). NIAM raises awareness about the important role vaccines play in preventing serious, sometimes deadly diseases across the lifespan. NPIC, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, developed the NIAM Communications Toolkit to help providers educate people of all ages about recommend vaccines. NIAM focuses on four weekly themes:

• August 5-11: Pregnant Women: Protect yourself and pass protection to your baby.
• August 12-18: Babies and Young Children: A healthy start begins with on-time vaccinations.
• August 19-25: Preteens & Teens: Ensure a healthy future with vaccines.
• August 26-31: Adults: Vaccines are not just for kids.
  

The Public Health Foundation (PHF) will be promoting NIAM by engaging in active discussions on social media, working with partner organizations, and disseminating materials such as Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine Diseases, 13th Edition “Pink Book” and other materials through PHF’s Online Store that help inform professionals and the public about the important role vaccines play in helping keep everyone healthy.