As we welcome August, kids and families across the state are gearing up for another school year and a long list of last minute to-dos. Along with school supply shopping and soaking up the last days of summer, back to school is the perfect time to make sure your child is up to date on routine childhood immunizations. August not only welcomes students back to the classroom, it is also recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to promote childhood immunizations and celebrate their effectiveness and success. 

Childhood immunizations have been administered and have effectively prevented diseases for decades and remain as important today as they were upon their first introduction over 75 years ago. The childhood immunization schedule in the United States begins at birth and continues through most of the childhood years – protecting kids from diseases like hepatitis B, whooping cough, measles, chickenpox, and more. 

Despite evidence-backed recommendations for all children to receive routine immunizations throughout childhood, immunization rates have fallen in recent years. In Kentucky at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, more than 15% of Kindergarteners entering schools were not up to date on immunizations. Falling immunization rates have led to an increase in the spread of preventable diseases, such as measles which has been diagnosed in several counties across Kentucky this year. 

Parents and caregivers can take steps now to protect their children and those around them from preventable diseases.

  • Talk to your healthcare provider about immunizations that are recommended and see if your child is up to date 
  • Make a plan to get your child immunized – childhood immunizations are often offered at primary care offices, local health departments, and community health fairs and immunization events
  • Bring a completed Kentucky Certificate of Immunization Status to file with your child’s school 

Join Kentucky Youth Advocates as we recognize National Immunization Awareness Month and promote the safety and effectiveness of child immunizations. Take action this month by ensuring children in your life are up to date on immunizations and promote among your networks to support the health of all Kentucky kids.