August - National Immunization Awareness Month

It's National Immunization Awareness Month! Is Your Family Up to Date on Vaccines?

What is NIAM?

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases like whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, pneumonia, and influenza with vaccines.

During NIAM, Stanislaus County Public Health Department encourages you talk to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional to ensure you, your child, and your family are up to date on recommended vaccines.

We also encourage you to visit CDC’s Interactive Vaccine Guide, which provides information on the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and throughout your child’s life.

Who should be vaccinated?

As your children head back to school this fall, make sure vaccination is at the top of your checklist. August is also a key time to make sure you are up to date on all the vaccines you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you.

Vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious diseases.

Maternal Vaccination

  • The Tdap and flu vaccines are very safe to receive during pregnancy and help prevent harm to you and your developing baby.
  • A 2018 study showed that getting a flu shot reduced a pregnant woman’s risk of being hospitalized with flu by an average of 40%.
  • A 2017 CDC evaluation found Tdap vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy prevents more than 3 in 4 cases of whooping cough in babies younger than 2 months old.
  • Vaccines reduce your risk of infection by working with your body’s natural defenses to help you safely develop immunity to disease.
  • Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective to receive during pregnancy.
  • Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild and go away quickly.

Childhood/Adolescent Vaccination

  • Vaccines reduce your child’s risk of infection by working with their body’s natural defenses to help them safely develop immunity to disease.
  • Vaccines are among the most effective ways to protect against serious diseases. Many vaccine preventable diseases are no longer common thanks to vaccines.
  • Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.
  • Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild and go away quickly.

Adult Vaccination

  • Vaccines reduce your risk of infection by working with your body’s natural defenses to help safely develop immunity to disease.
  • Vaccines are among the most effective ways to protect against serious diseases. Many vaccine preventable diseases are no longer common thanks to vaccines.
  • Vaccines are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored even after they are licensed to ensure they are safe.
  • Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild and go away quickly.


Show your support!

During NIAM, Stanislaus County Public Health Department will be sharing information and resources on social media to highlight the importance of vaccines.

Help us spread the word!

Follow the conversation with @stancounty on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #ivax2protect to share why you choose to vaccinate.

Contact Information


Stanislaus County Immunization Program
820 Scenic Dr.
Modesto, CA 95350

Contact Us:
Phone: 209-558-7700
Fax: 209-558-5014
gro.ashcs@esrunzi

Social Media Updates


The StanCountyHSA Facebook feed may take a few seconds to load...

StanCounty Health Service Agency on Facebook