August is National Immunization Awareness Month and a good time to remind your patients that vaccines help reduce the risk of serious illness at every age. Providers can help children stay on track with recommended immunizations and identify adults who may be at increased risk based on age, health history, pregnancy, occupation, travel, or other factors. Use each visit to review immunization status, identify gaps, answer questions, and help reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable disease. Vaccines help protect your patients at every age and stage of life.

A recent Harvard Health article, Why are measles and other "eradicated" infectious diseases coming back?, explains that diseases such as measles, rubella, and polio were largely eliminated in the U.S. because vaccination rates were high and vaccines were effective and safe. These diseases are reemerging as immunization rates decline, misinformation spreads, and public health systems face added strain. Maintaining strong vaccination coverage and surveillance remains critical to preventing widespread outbreaks.

Leading public health organizations, including the CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and WHO, recommend evidence-based strategies for addressing vaccine hesitancy. These approaches emphasize building trust, listening to patient concerns, making clear and confident recommendations, and sharing accurate information in a way that supports informed decision-making without overwhelming patients.

Help Children Stay on Schedule

• Emphasize staying on schedule with routine childhood vaccines to help reduce the risk of serious illness, missed school, and potential exposure in community settings
• Children who are not up to date on routine vaccines may be at greater risk for serious illness, school exclusion requirements, or outbreaks in community settings
• Infants and young children may be especially vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing
• Back-to-school season is an important time to review immunization records and close gaps

Help Adults Stay Protected

Highlight that immunizations are not just for children and that adults may need vaccines based on individual risk factors, including age, health conditions, job, travel, or prior vaccination history.

• Adults may be at increased risk based on age, chronic health conditions, pregnancy, occupation, travel, or immunocompromising conditions
• Older adults and people with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or weakened immune systems may face higher risk of complications from vaccine-preventable diseases
• Vaccine recommendations can change over time, so adults should have their immunization status reviewed regularly

Providers Can Support Members by:

• Reviewing immunization records at each visit to identify gaps and reduce preventable risk
• Prioritizing outreach to higher-risk Members, including those with chronic conditions or other risk factors
• Discuss recommended vaccines during well-child, back-to-school, annual wellness, chronic condition, and preventive care visits
• Address questions with clear, evidence-based guidance and use reminder/recall workflows or standing orders when appropriate

Review the CDC immunization schedules to confirm age and risk-based recommendations and help patients stay current on needed vaccines.