​National Immunization Aw​​areness Month 

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is taking a stand on the protection offered by vaccines to prevent deadly diseases as part of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) in August. Throughout the month, AAP will be sharing messages from pediatricians about vaccines, and is asking pediatrician bloggers to write about the importance of vaccination #WhyIVax.

Pediatricians and members of the AAP from across the country share why they vaccinate in their practices and why they trust vaccines with their own families.

In a series of AAP Voices blog posts, about the importance of vaccines for child health: ​

 

NIAM Blog Toolkit

The AAP is offering tips for pediatricians in a NIAM Blogger Kit  to encourage our spokespeople and pediatricians with blogs to get involved in NIAM this year and promote immunization for everyone during August.

AAP NIAM Resources
Child Vaccination Across America infographic 
In this interactive infographic, the AAP presents the most recent data on immunization rates for DTaP, MMR, Varicella, HPV, Influenza, and the 7-vaccine series. Recent disease outbreaks are highlighted. You can click on individual states to compare vaccination rates and laws regarding vaccine exemptions across the country.  

 

AAP Vaccine Timeline
The AAP recognizes the advancements in research and vaccine development that have saved millions of lives from death and disability from now-preventable diseases like polio, measles, and chickenpox. This timeline traces some of the important milestones in the history of vaccines.

AAP Voices blog posts 
A series of AAP Voices blog posts from individual pediatricians highlight the importance of immunizing against vaccine-preventable diseases and acknowledge the various ways consider their decision to vaccinate. Drs. Nusheen Ameenuddin and Kristin Oliver will write new NIAM blog posts on a measles outbreak in Minessota and the real impacts of misinformation about vaccines, and HPV vaccine, respectively. Other blogs to promote during this month include: 

• Immunization in the Era of Fake News - What do Pediatricians Need to Do?​, Claire McCarthy, MD, FAAP
• We Can't Let Our Guard Down Against Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Don L. Wilber, MD, FAAP
Immunization is a Simple, Proven Tool to Protect Our Children, Hansa Bhargava , MD, FAAP 
• It Takes a Herd , Rhea Boyd, MD, FAAP
• Your Baby and Your Pediatrician (and the Internet), Jennifer Shu, MD, FAAP
• Building a Foundation for Lifelong Health , Ivor B. Horn, MD, MPH, FAAP
• It's Time to Defend the Truth about Vaccines, Natasha Burgert, MD, FAAP
• Vaccines: One of Pediatricians' "Super Powers" to Protect Kids, Ari Brown, MD, FAAP·         
• Protecting the Most Vulnerable: Immunize for Children Who Can't, Timothy Jacks, MD, FAAP
• HPV Vaccine Misunderstood Despite Decade of Safety and Effectiveness, Margaret Stager, MD, FAAP

#VaccinesWork Social Media
The AAP will be pushing out a comprehensive social media campaign during August to promote its messaging and resources to parents. Take part and support the campaign.

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter:

• AAP Facebook page
• HealthyChildren.org Facebook page
• AAP Twitter feed
• HealthyChildren.org  Twitter feed 

Visit the AAP on YouTube for sharable videos that reinforce the importance of vaccines: 

• Dr. Anita Chandra PSA on the Importance of Vaccines
• Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson Talks About the Safety of Vaccines
• Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson on Safety and Efficacy of the MMR Vaccine
• Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson Talks About Chickenpox Vaccination
  
• Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson Talks About Alternative Vaccine Schedules
  

AAP will continue to post messages during World Immunization Week, April 24-30. Learn more about how the AAP promotes global immunization.

HealthyChildren.org Parent Testimonials
In an effort to transform statistics into real conversations about how children and families benefit from immunizations, we asked parents to share their stories about why they vaccinate their children. Readers of HealthyChildren.org wrote to tell us how they made the decision to immunize their children, and what an important decision it was for them. AAP and HealthyChildren.org will share many of their stories in social media throughout the week:

 

• ​W​hy I Vaccinate: Childhood Measles Case Makes Mom an Advocate
  
• Why I Vaccinate: Family Relies on Community to Protect Surviving Toddler

HealthyChildren.org Resources
HealthyChildren.org is the premier source of pediatric information for parents and offers numerous articles related to immunizations. These make excellent articles to share during NIAM using the hashtag #WhyIVax:

• Pediatric ER Doc  Sees Children & Teens with Preventable Infectious Diseases
• Recommended Immunization Schedules
• Vaccinations Needed for School
• Why Immunize Your Child 
• How Safe are Vaccines?
• Vaccines Your Child Needs
• Vaccine Ingredients: Frequently Asked Questions
• Managing Your Child's Pain While Getting a Shot 
• AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits
• Where We Stand: Immunizations
• Vaccines and Side Effects: The Facts
• Vaccine Studies: Examine the Evidence
• An Important Immunization Message from the AAP
• Vaccine Safety: The Facts
• Child Immunization Schedule: Why Is It Like That?
• Preventing the Spread of Illness in Child Care or School
• Back to School, Back to the Doctor
• Immunizations for Teenagers & Young Adults
• Preventing the Flu: Resources for Parents & Child Care Providers 

 

You can find us on Facebook and Twitter here:

 

• AAP main Facebook page
  
• HealthyChildren Facebook page
  
• AAP main Twitter page
  
• HealthyChildren  Twitter page  ​​

​National Infant Immunization Week
Observed annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health organizations since 1994, NIIW has celebrated the successes of immunization programs around the country and highlights the importance of immunizing. The AAP joins the CDC in urging parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases, including influenza. Visit the CDC website to learn more. ​

 

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