National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to highlight the vital role vaccines play in protecting public health. This year, Greater Regional Health, in partnership with Union County Public Health, is renewing efforts to educate and empower our community with accurate and up-to-date information about vaccinations.

With recent increases in cases of diseases like measles, many individuals are understandably asking questions about vaccines and their role in personal and public health. We are here to provide reliable resources to help you make informed healthcare decisions for yourself and your family.

Why Vaccinate?

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious illness, disability, and even death from infectious diseases. Getting vaccinated during childhood and staying up to date into adulthood helps protect you before you are exposed to harmful viruses or bacteria.

All vaccines approved for use in the United States undergo rigorous safety testing and continuous monitoring to ensure they are both safe and effective. When more people are vaccinated, the risk of disease spreading in the community decreases, helping to protect those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions or age.

What Is Community Immunity?

Community immunity, also known as herd immunity, occurs when a high percentage of the population, typically around 95% for diseases like measles, becomes immune to a contagious illness. This level of immunity helps prevent outbreaks and protects individuals who are most vulnerable, including infants, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

Combating Common Myths

Misinformation about vaccines has become more widespread, especially through social media. It is important to seek information from trusted sources when making decisions about your health and your family’s health. Here are some common myths, along with facts to help clarify the truth.

Myth: Vaccines contain harmful ingredients.

Fact: Vaccines contain ingredients in amounts that are safe for the human body. While some ingredients could be harmful in large doses, the quantities used in vaccines are strictly regulated and extensively tested for safety.

Myth: Vaccines cause autism.

Fact: Numerous studies have shown no link between vaccines and autism. But, time and time again vaccines haven been proven to protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases like measles, polio, and whooping cough.

Myth: It is better to get immunity by contracting the disease.

Fact: Natural infection can lead to severe complications, including hospitalization, lifelong conditions, or death. Vaccines provide safe and effective protection without the risks that come with getting the actual disease.

Myth: I don’t need to get vaccinated because others are.

Fact: Community immunity only works when a large percentage of the population is vaccinated. As vaccination rates decline, the risk of outbreaks increases, making it vital that as many people as possible stay up to date with recommended vaccines.

Myth: Vaccines can give you the disease they are meant to prevent.

Fact: Most vaccines use inactivated viruses or parts of the virus, making it impossible to cause the disease. A few vaccines use weakened live viruses, which may cause mild symptoms like a low fever or rash, but these are not harmful and are not the disease itself.

Union County Immunization Levels

Union County Public Health participates in the Vaccines for Children Program (VFC), which ensures that all children in the United States have access to recommended vaccines regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

According to Health and Human Services 2024 immunization records, Union County has a 90.3% coverage rate for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine by age 24 months. While this is a strong number, health officials recommend a 95% rate to achieve optimal community immunity. We encourage all residents to help protect themselves and those around them by staying current on vaccinations.

Supporting Informed Health Decisions

We understand that making health decisions for yourself and your family can feel overwhelming. That is why Greater Regional Health, along with Karla Hynes, (RN & Public Health coordinator) and the dedicated staff at Union County Public Health, is here to support you with compassion and credible information.

Vaccination is just one way we are working together to build a healthier, safer community. If you have questions or need more information, speak with your healthcare provider today or visit our injection clinic on our main campus. You can rest assured that your concerns will be met with understanding, not judgment.

To learn more about our services, please visit:

 https://www.greaterregional.org 

For information about Union County Public Health, visit: https://www.greaterregional.org/publichealth 

Credits

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. 2024. Vaccines: The Myths and the Facts. Retrieved July 15, 2025. https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/vaccine-myth-fact 

Iowa Department of Public Health. 2024. Vaccine Profile: Childhood Vaccines. Retrieved July 15, 2025. https://data.idph.state.ia.us/t/IDPHDataViz/views/VaccineProfile/ChildhoodVaccines?%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y