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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Vaccines & Immunizations

Calendars and Events:

National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW)
September 21 - 27, 2008
Adult Immunization - Supporting a Healthier Life Throughout the Lifespan

September 21-27 is National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW) 2008. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) spearheads this annual observance to coordinate awareness-raising activities that focus on adult and adolescent immunization. This year marks the 18th consecutive observance of NAIAW, and provides an excellent opportunity for individuals and organizations to promote the importance of adult and adolescent immunization.

Immunization: Supporting a Healthier Life Throughout the Lifespan is the theme for National Adult Immunization Awareness Week 2008.

2008 NAIAW logo

NAIAW 2008 Campaign Kit from NFID

The 2008 Campaign Kit is designed to:

  • Provide resources to help educate consumers and healthcare workers about adolescent and adult immunization.
  • Encourage organizations to coordinate NAIAW promotional efforts in their state or local area.

Printable version Adobe Acrobat print-friendly PDF file (exit) (.pdf 5.28 MB) (87 pages)

WARNING: Due to the enormous size of this file, please be patient while the file downloads. The screen will remain blank during this process.

Organizations may duplicate materials and modify information in the NAIAW kit from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases site to fit unique needs in promoting adult and adolescent immunization. NFID requests that acknowledgement of this publication be included whenever material from the campaign kit is reproduced in another publication or website.

We thank you for celebrating NAIAW 2008. Together, we can improve adult immunization rates to reduce absences at work, school, and social events; save healthcare funds; and most importantly, save lives.

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Adults Need Immunizations, Too!

Adults Need Immunizations, Too!

Your need for immunizations doesn't end when you reach adulthood. Maintain protection against vaccine-preventable diseases for your health and for your family's health. Be the example!

Immunizations are NOT just for kids! Whether a young adult, middle-aged adult, or senior citizen, we ALL need immunizations to keep us healthy. Transitioning to adulthood brings us into a new world, bringing a different level of responsibility that we carry for life, including the need to help protect our loved ones more than ever.

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Do You Need Any Shots?

The specific immunizations you need as an adult are determined by factors such as your age, lifestyle, high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunizations.

Review the Adult Immunization Schedule (also available in Spanish) to see if you have missed immunizations recommended for your age group and/or medical conditions. Be sure to check this schedule for updates as new vaccines are developed for additional protection. The most recent addition to the schedule is the shingles vaccine for those 60 years and older.

Adults Need Immunizations, Too!

For additional information on vaccines and immunizations, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/.

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Are You an Advocate for Your Family?

Your need for immunizations does not end when you reach adulthood. In fact, the need for immunization remains just as strong as when we were vulnerable children. As adults, we must continue to maintain our own health because we are also affecting the health of our families by teaching them how to care for themselves.

Accept responsibility by encouraging other adults in your family to check with their doctors for immunizations they may need to enable and maintain protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Childhood vaccinations will not protect you for the rest of your life. Be the example!

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  .pdf files: To view and print the .pdf files on this site, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Use this link to obtain a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader (exit). We highly recommend that you upgrade to the latest version if haven't already.

This page last modified on September 10, 2008
Content last reviewed on September 10, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

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Vaccines and Immunizations