National Immunization Awareness Month
August 1, 2024
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This month, we want to highlight the importance of getting vaccinated not only for your own health but also to safeguard the well-being of those around you.
Vaccinations play a vital role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and ensuring community health. By staying up to date with your vaccinations, you help protect those who are more vulnerable, such as the elderly, infants, and individuals with compromised immune systems.
What role can you play in National Immunization Awareness Month?
All staff in healthcare practices, including non-clinical staff, play important roles during NIAM:
- Engage in learning opportunities with CDC’s Immunization Education and Training courses.
- Make your practice a supportive space that welcomes vaccine questions and concerns from patients and parents.
- Use proven strategies to encourage parents and patients to stay up to date on vaccinations.
- Make immunization schedules easy for parents and patients to find by displaying them on your website.
- Use tools like PneumoRecs VaxAdvisor Mobile App to help you make vaccine recommendations.
- Share clear and accurate information about the latest vaccine recommendations, including COVID-19 vaccines and RSV vaccines.
Click here to learn more about the role you can play as a healthcare provider from the CDC.
Click here to view how other providers are making effective vaccine recommendations from the CDC.
GRITS 2.0
As you may know, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is launching GRITS 2.0 (Georgia Registry of Immunization Transaction & Services) soon. GRITS 2.0 will provide healthcare providers, schools, pharmacies, state agencies, and other immunization partners with a user-centric experience that provides the vaccine intelligence needed to “monitor, manage, and mobilize data for a healthier future. Click here to receive updates from the DPH on GRITS 2.0.
Using AI to Combat Vaccine Hesitancy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to minimize vaccine hesitancy. According to the World Health Organization, vaccine hesitancy is one of the top 10 global health threats. AI has potential build trust in vaccines, if used ethically and responsibly.
Click here to read more.