Interstate Connections August 2023 Newsletter
Disability Justice, Access & Independence in the Greater Northwest
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for people of all ages. Vaccines save 2 to 3 million lives each year. They are essential tools for protecting ourselves and our communities. If enough people in your community are immunized against a certain disease, you can reach something called herd immunity. When this happens, diseases can’t spread easily from person to person because most people are immune. This provides a layer of protection against the disease even for those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants.
Vaccines protect against serious illnesses like polio, which can cause paralysis; measles, which can cause brain swelling and blindness; chickenpox, tho mild, some children will develop complications that can be fatal or cause permanent disabilities. All vaccines go through rigorous safety testing, including clinical trials, before they are approved for the public. Countries will only register and distribute vaccines that meet rigorous quality and safety standards.