August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This month, the Norwalk Health Department joins the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health officials to celebrate the benefits of vaccines and highlight their importance for people of all ages. The Health Department and its partners urge parents to call their pediatrician to schedule check-ups and vaccinations for kids now. Pediatrician’s offices are open, and COVID-19 safety measures are in place.

NIAM highlights the various groups of people who benefit of vaccines:

• school-aged children, who need back-to-school vaccines;
• pregnant women, who can protect themselves and pass protection on to their babies;
• babies and young children, because a healthy start begins with on-time vaccination;
• preteens and teens, who can ensure a healthy future with vaccines; and
• adults, because vaccines are not just for kids.

During NIAM and throughout the year, the Health Department’s Immunization Action Plan (IAP) Program works with families, health care providers, and the community to ensure that children and adults receive age-appropriate vaccines.

This year, health officials have seen a decline in routine healthcare visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so IAP staff is working with a statewide Immunization Work Group on a campaign to encourage families to keep up with well child visits and vaccinations. This collaboration, led by the Child Health and Development Institute of CT and attended by various maternal child health stakeholders across the state, is distributing a flyer urging parents to “Vaccinate Your Children, Do Not Wait.”  The multilingual communication is available in four languages and advises parents to vaccinate their children now to protect them from dangerous diseases such as measles and whooping cough. It includes information to help parents find a provider, get a free copy of their child’s vaccine record from CT’s Immunization Information System (CT WiZ), and stay safe while visiting the health office or clinic. The information is being disseminated widely through various family support organizations and programs and can be found on our website at www.norwalkct.org/vaccines.

For more information about the Health Department’s services for those seeking vaccines, visit our website at www.norwalkct.org/vaccines or call (203) 854-7776.