National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) August 1– August 31, 2023

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 can prevent disease. Vaccination is essential because it helps provide immunity before an exposure to potentially life-threatening diseases. The United States has seen an increase in measles cases during the first 6 months of 2023, with 18 reported cases compared with 3 in 2022 during the same period (CDC, 2023). Most of these cases were among children who had not received measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.

To prevent the infection and spread of vaccine preventable diseases all CT residents should be up to date on their recommended vaccinations. For this summer and coming winter, everyone is encouraged to consider vaccinating or getting boosted for protection against the 3 Bugs Out There’: COVID, Flu and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)”. Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has cautioned that ‘We’re going to have three bugs out there, three viruses: Covid, of course, flu and RSV” (NBC News, 2023).

It is critical that families stay on track on routine checkups and recommended vaccinations at all time. As in-person learning and play may become more common, on-time vaccination is even more urgent to help provide immunity against 14 serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

Are vaccine ingredients safe?

Today’s vaccines use only the ingredients they need to be as safe and effective as possible. All vaccine ingredients can also be found in commonly consumed foods, out in nature, and also exist in our bodies naturally. Visit the link to learn more about vaccine ingredients: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/ingredients.html

How much do vaccines cost?

The state buys vaccine through a government contract, and gives the vaccines at no cost to health care providers who agrees to vaccinate without charging patients for the cost of the vaccine. Health care providers may still charge an administration fee which cannot exceed 21$. If you cannot pay, they waive the fee.

Where can I look-up myself or child’s vaccine official record?

The State offers free protected electronic records for all CT residents upon request within minutes using the secure online CT WiZ Public Portal. https://ctwizpublicportal.dph....

What are the 14 diseases prevented by vaccines?

1. Polio

2. Tetanus

3. Flu

4. Hepatitis B

5. Hepatitis A

6. Rubella

7. Measles

8. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

9. Mumps

10. Diphtheria

11. Hib (Haemophilus influenza)

12. Chicken Pox (Varicella)

13. Pneumococcal Disease

14. Rotavirus

All of these diseases have painful symptoms & can have life-long lasting effects or cause death.

New CT WiZ Immunization Information System

On September 17, 2018, DPH changed the immunization program from the Connecticut Immunization Registry and Tracking System (CIRTS) to the new CT WiZ! Your child is enrolled in the states’ immunization registry, CT WiZ. See the CT WiZ handout in your birthing packet for more information on CT WiZ. Or visit: https://portal.ct.gov/immunization/Public-Landing-Page/All-About-CT-Wiz?language=en_US

See more @;

• https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html
• https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/tripledemic-covid-rsv-flu-winter-cdc-rcna95448
• https://www.facebook.com/South...