5 Ways to Promote National Immunization Awareness Month at Work

Vaccines and immunizations were never a topic of interest in the past. But the pandemic has changed the scenario completely. Now, people are becoming more aware of the various vaccines available irrespective of the disease."
And all need to know about it. Also, what better time to talk about this than during National Immunization Awareness Month? As we know, August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and the whole month is to remember how important vaccinations are for preventing diseases.

This day is observed annually to raise awareness of the value of immunization for all age groups. It is not easy to know what vaccine to take at what age. Also, with all the misinformation and facts we consume, it becomes difficult to understand what is wrong or right. And thus, to highlight the importance of vaccines, American Academy of Pediatricsthe celebrates National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) in August.

Even in the work environment, the vaccination drive is a thing now. Workplace vaccination was an important topic to discuss over the COVID-19 vaccine receiving media attention.

Why Does Employee Vaccination Matter?

Employee immunization is crucial for maintaining a healthy working environment and a feeling of security among coworkers. If everyone in the office is immunized, employees can work in close quarters with little chance of contracting an illness for themselves or their loved ones.

Make a plan to educate your staff on the advantages of vaccination if they are reluctant or resistant to vaccination because most businesses don't want to force their workers into making any decision. Companies can provide employees with educational resources and information to educate themselves and take control of their own choices.

Hence, as we return to work after the pandemic, we are now more prone to declining routine immunization that protects against diseases like diphtheria, measles, mumps, polio, rubella, and tetanus, among others. Thus, it could be a good idea to talk to your staff about the value of vaccines as we prepare for another flu season.

Suggested read Employee Health Policy: The Topmost Priority of Every Successful Business

Adult Vaccination!

• Immunizations are necessary for all adults to help them avoid contracting and transmitting dangerous diseases that can lead to ill health, missed employment, high healthcare costs, and the inability to care for family members.

• Every year, the seasonal flu (influenza) vaccination is required for all adults. The elderly, pregnant women and those with long-term medical issues should all get the flu shot.

• If they did not have the Tdap vaccine as adolescents, every adult should receive it once to protect against whooping cough, followed by a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) or Tdap booster dose every ten years. Additionally, women should receive the Tdap vaccine each time they become pregnant, ideally between weeks 27 and 36.

• In any neighborhood, the COVID-19 vaccine is easily accessible. It remains important to learn more about vaccinations, acquiring them, and other topics and make an informed decision on your doze of covid vaccination.

• Adults 65 years of age and older are advised to have the pneumococcal vaccine (PPSV23). It has been demonstrated that the vaccine offers a defense against pneumococcal infections.

• Shingles vaccination is advised for people 50 years of age or older. As you age, your likelihood of developing shingles increases.

5 Ways to Promote NIAM at Work

You want the best way to prepare for the upcoming flu season as you continue to welcome workers back to the office. Promoting the advantages of having the seasonal flu vaccine will be more crucial than ever, considering COVID-19 and persistent worries surrounding the Delta strain.

At times, it might be tiring to only listen to or talk about the COVID vaccine or the flu. So, you can try having some fun with the vaccination drive. During National Immunization Awareness Month, have some fun by playing games, providing printed materials that your workers can peruse at their leisure, and more.

Here are five easy methods to keep this health topic engaging and educational.

1. Check Out Our Immunization Trivia for Your Team

The more immunization information your team possesses, the better. Your employees can decide which vaccinations are best for them when the time comes. Playing a vaccine trivia game at NIAM is one way to accomplish and ensure that crucial vaccination facts stay in their memory. You can even conduct a poll with simple questions like:

1. Which vaccine do you need to take for measles?

2. What is the best time to take a TT shot after an injury?

3. What is the name of the COVID-19 vaccine?

You can also conduct these polls on social media pages to engage your audience.

Offer exciting rewards for those who can answer them all. It will boost their confidence and uplift their mood.

2. Play the game "Take a Jab."

Another fun way to approach a difficult subject is with this game. Write statistics and data about vaccines on a slip of paper, stuff it inside a balloon, inflate it, and have workers fire darts at it. When one pops, one reads the information about the vaccine and how it can help protect you from various diseases.

• Every year, vaccines prevent 2 to 3
  million fatalities.

• Most diseases that immunizations used to prevent are no longer widespread in the US.

• Some vaccines can be taken orally
  ;not all are given via injection.

• Thanks to immunizations, at least 14 illnesseshave been eliminated.

• Between 2000 and 2008, measles death rates decreased globally by 78% because of vaccinations.

This game will be fun and informative at the same time. Everyone at work will have a great time.

3. NIAM Poster Graphics.

Now is the perfect time to use your artistic abilities if you're creative. Create graphics in your weekly workplace email newsletter or print them and put them around the office. Here are a few concepts which you can take as reference.

Graphic design concepts:

• Information about your flu vaccine clinic.

• Advertising for a COVID vaccination clinic

• Information on the safety of vaccines

• The significance of getting shots on schedule

Hold this as a competition for your “design team,” where other employees can vote for the best design, and the winner takes a prize back home.

4. Hold a COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign.

According to a new study, COVID-19 doesn't go away. A third booster has been used to identify and neutralize 20 distinct COVID-19 variations. The study's findings showed immunity starts to decrease 20 weeks after vaccination, but a third booster assists the immune system in eliminating various variations.

Consider organizing and holding a COVID-19 shot clinic every quarter to keep your squad informed about boosters. By doing this, you might be able to save your workers' health and stop the spread of COVID among your staff. Write a little more on how employers can vaccinate employees.

5. Plan a Future Flu Vaccination Clinic.

Up to 170,000 hospital admissions for the flu occurred between October 2021 and June 2022. Additionally, the flu was responsible for nearly 14,000 fatalities. Even though the precise start date of the flu season varies yearly, planning for your autumn flu vaccination clinic is a wise choice.

It would help to immunize people of all ages in your workforce before the flu season peaks in December December and February. The ideal time to hold a flu vaccine program is before October 31. Send the information to your team immediately, especially if you'll be sponsoring the flu shot.

Conclusion

The significance of immunizations will always exist, and everyone must be up to date on their vaccinations to maintain healthy workplaces and communities. Utilize the literature and tools at your disposal to raise awareness of National Immunization Awareness Month in your workplace during August. Perhaps it will save a life!

Doing this may foster trust among your staff members and help them comprehend the advantages and drawbacks of immunizing themselves and their loved ones.