National Immunization Awareness Month: Highlighting the Impact of Vaccination

Every August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) showcases the impact of vaccination for people of all ages and the efforts of healthcare professionals to promote on-time vaccination as a means of disease prevention.

Adult Vaccination & Community Well-Being

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, adult vaccination rates remain low in the United States and far below national targets. Such numbers mean that millions of adults are susceptive to vaccine-preventable diseases and other consequences. For the aging population, the public health impact of vaccine-preventable diseases and their complications in adults is likely to grow.?

As a first line of defense, vaccines are essential to protecting individuals and communities from infectious diseases. Specifically:

• Vaccines help prevent the spread of diseases through the control and elimination of such.
• Vaccination helps protect vulnerable populations, including individuals who can’t receive vaccines, as well as individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Vaccines promote cost-effective care as they help reduce hospitalizations.
• Vaccines help control outbreaks and possible pandemics by providing immunity against infectious diseases before they can become widespread.

?Vaccinations & Long-Term Care Facilities

As part of the interdisciplinary care team, pharmacists are a trusted source of vaccine information for residents and caregivers. Pharmacies make up a high number of locations and providers for vaccine administration, and having informative conversations between pharmacists and everyone involved in the care of residents can help make a difference in vaccination rates. Support your facility’s vaccination efforts through the following approaches:

Throughout the Year, Especially During NIAM – Encourage caregivers and residents to be up to date on annual exams to be mindful of recommended vaccines and medical treatments.

Respiratory Virus Season – Prepare for the respiratory viruses that are most likely to develop in specific seasons. Rashmi Patel, PharmD, Director of Pharmacy at MAC Rx, recommends that long-term care facilities provide the recommended flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff and encourage visitors to be vaccinated. Doing so will allow antibodies to develop in the body to ensure protection for the upcoming months.

Check out resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) below for more information:

• Long-Term Care Quick Start Guide: Preparing for Respiratory Virus Season
• Resources to Prepare for Flu, COVID-19, and RSV
• Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings
• Talking to Patients About Vaccine Safety

Additional Resources

Immunization awareness starts with education. In the links below, we are including a list of resources that can inform and support your vaccination efforts.

• Reasons for Adults to be Vaccinated – CDC
• Vaccine Safety Information for Healthcare Providers – CDC
• Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Updated June 27, 2024) – CDC
• Educational Resources and CMEs for Healthcare Professionals – CDC
• NIAM Toolkit for Reaching Healthcare Professionals – CDC
• Vaccine Recipient Education – CDC
• Immunization and Vaccine Resources – CMS

To learn more about MAC Rx and how we can support your facility’s vaccination and pharmacy efforts, visit macrx.com