August marks time to update vaccines

As August approaches, don't forget it's time for National Immunization Awareness month, a time to highlight the need to make sure all age-appropriate vaccines across the life span, are up to date.

This is an awareness month designated by the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal is to urge communities to organize local health screenings or fairs, media campaigns and other associated vaccine outreach efforts during the summer month to stress the value of immunizing.

According to CDC, even though vaccine-preventable disease rates have dipped to near-record lows, thanks to high immunization coverage levels across all age groups, complacency is not the answer. CDC still stresses maximum immunization coverage in all age segments, as well as the continuation of evidence-based clinical research, and continued assurance of utmost vaccine safety.