August 2009 marks the third annual Department of Defense (DoD) participation in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) campaign. The goal of NIAM is to increase awareness about immunizations that are recommended for the entire lifespan of an individual. Within the DoD we often focus on the immunization needs of our deployed Service members and the immunizations required for children to attend school; but no matter the age or occupation, immunization health should be maintained throughout one's lifetime. In the past, DoD has emphasized different parts of immunization healthcare. This year's focus is on adult immunizations.

DoD's aim is to provide comprehensive immunization health care in an effort to prevent illness in military beneficiaries, retirees and employees; educating them on all immunizations they may need throughout their life. Immunizations continue to change and new vaccines are released each year, so it is important for healthcare providers to continue to share this important health information.

Your participation in the 2009 DoD Immunization Awareness Month activities will help ensure the success of this campaign. To assist you in your planning, we have created the IAM resources list below to serve as an educational reference for the entire DoD family. It is designed to assist organizations coordinate DoD Immunization Awareness Month promotional efforts at their medical treatment facilities. It also helps educate consumers and healthcare workers about childhood, adolescent and adult immunizations.