As August rolls in, it’s time to celebrate National Immunization Awareness Month 2024 (NIAM) to highlight the importance of vaccines in protecting our communities.

NIAM 2024 comes with the timely and important themes of strengthening community immunity and staying up to date on vaccines. These themes underscore the collective responsibility we share in safeguarding public health through vaccinations.

Vaccines are among the most effective tools in preventing infectious diseases. They not only protect those who receive them but also contribute to herd immunity, making it harder for diseases to spread within a community. This communal protection is especially important for those who cannot be vaccinated, such as individuals with certain medical conditions or those too young to receive specific vaccines.

A key piece of vaccine confidence is building trust in vaccines and increasing access to immunization services. In recent years, misinformation about vaccines has led to hesitancy among some groups. NIAM 2024 aims to address these concerns by providing accurate information and engaging with communities to foster trust.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes the importance of NIAM to “highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages.” It also underscores the importance of building awareness about the importance of vaccination and encouraging people to speak with a healthcare provider they trust about staying up to date on their vaccinations.

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Recent Challenges in Vaccine Uptake

Vaccine coverage has been on the decline in recent years, particularly at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns decreased access to healthcare centers, leading to a decrease in routine childhood vaccinations, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccines and polio vaccines, in developing countries.

According to a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, confidence in childhood vaccines declined up to 44 percentage points in some countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. It revealed that 67 million children missed one or more vaccinations over three years due to disruptions in services. These disruptions were caused by strained health systems, the diversion of limited resources, conflicts, instability and decreased confidence in vaccines. A CDC report also showed the same trend in the US but with a less drastic percentage point drop of 0.8 to 0.9 percent.

Polio, a highly infectious viral disease that can cause paralysis, has been the target of a global eradication initiative for decades. While significant progress has been made, with wild poliovirus now endemic in only a few countries, there has been a worrying resurgence in some areas.

In rare cases, the weakened virus in the oral polio vaccine can mutate and lead to circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus (cVDPV). This issue has been particularly problematic in areas with low immunization coverage, where the mutated virus can spread in under-immunized populations.

In countries like Pakistan and Afghanistan, where polio remains endemic, ongoing conflict, social challenges and vaccine hesitancy hinder vaccination efforts. Additionally, outbreaks of cVDPV in Africa and other regions highlight the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage.

This makes immunization campaigns vital to help build awareness about the importance of vaccination and to ensure people stay up to date on their vaccines. Improving vaccine availability in rural areas and ensuring that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status, has the opportunity to protect themselves and their loved ones will be key to improving the uptake of life-saving vaccines.

NIAM: Key Messages and Actions

NIAM 2024 offers a range of activities and resources to engage communities and promote immunization. Here are some key messages and actions you can participate in:

• Get Vaccinated: The most effective way to protect yourself and others from preventable diseases is to stay up to date with recommended vaccines. This includes flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines and routine immunizations for children and adults.
• Educate Yourself and Others: Use reliable sources to learn about vaccines and their benefits. Share this information with friends, family and social networks to combat misinformation.
• Engage with Healthcare Providers: Talk to your healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for you and your family. They can provide personalized advice based on your health status and age.
• Community Involvement: Participate in local events and initiatives that promote vaccination. These might include health fairs, informational webinars and social media campaigns.

By getting vaccinated and encouraging others to do the same, community immunity can be strengthened, which is key for protecting everyone including the most vulnerable individuals in society.

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