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National Immunization Awareness Month
This month is National Immunization Awareness Month, and getting up-to-date with recommended vaccinations is one of the best ways to protect children from preventable diseases. Vaccines protect children from diseases like smallpox, polio, pertussis and other diseases. Unfortunately, vaccine hesitancy was named as one of the most notable threats to global health from the World Health Organization, which has been exacerbated by covid-19. Access or barriers to getting vaccines, distrust in the government and federal mandates and an increase in vaccine misinformation have led to lower vaccine rates and increases of diseases that have been thought to be relegated to history.
School-based health centers serve some of the most vulnerable populations and can reduce barriers like cost, time, transportation and insurance for getting vaccinations. They can also work to build trust, communicate and educate families and children about the importance of vaccines. Successful vaccine efforts require culturally appropriate communication and trust and consistency between all stakeholders. Below are resources that can be shared with school staff and health partners to help create an effective vaccine program in schools.
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