National Immunization Awareness Month

History & origins

National Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. The CDC describes it as a month-long effort to encourage families and healthcare providers to keep immunizations up to date across the lifespan. Its exact origin is not clearly documented in the sources reviewed, but it has become a recurring U.S. public-health campaign supported by national immunization organizations and healthcare partners.

Why it matters

Vaccination prevents serious disease, reduces outbreaks, and helps protect people who cannot be vaccinated because of age or medical reasons. It also supports back-to-school readiness, adult preventive care, and community immunity, making it relevant for families, clinics, schools, and public health systems.

How to celebrate

Check your vaccination records and get caught up. Schedule back-to-school vaccines for children. Get your annual flu shot. Learn about vaccine safety and effectiveness. Share accurate vaccine information. Thank healthcare workers who administer vaccines.

Facts

• Vaccines prevent 2-3 million deaths worldwide annually
• The US childhood vaccination program prevents 42,000 deaths per year
• Vaccines have eliminated or nearly eliminated many diseases in the US
• Herd immunity protects those who cannot be vaccinated
• Vaccine safety is continuously monitored by multiple systems