August marks National Immunization Awareness Month, a timely reminder of one of the most profound and effective public health achievements in human history: vaccines. Here in Utah, that message has received official support — Governor Spencer Cox recently signed a declaration recognizing August 2025 as Immunization Awareness Month in our state. This recognition highlights the vital role vaccines play in protecting our communities and affirms Utah’s commitment to promoting science-based public health practices.
Here in Utah, we value family, community and personal responsibility. Vaccines reflect all three. They’re not only about individual protection but also about safeguarding our children, our senior parents, our neighbors with compromised immune systems and future generations. And while most Utahns continue to support immunizations, vaccination rates are slipping. Utah currently has the second highest rate of exemptions in the U.S., and that puts all of us at risk.
Recent headlines about the resurgence of measles and policy moves affecting the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices have put vaccine science back in the national spotlight. These developments are a stark reminder that vaccines are not just a matter of science — they are a matter of civic duty and community protection.
Let’s not forget that vaccines have helped eradicate deadly diseases like smallpox and dramatically reduced others, including polio, rubella and measles. Since 1974, they have prevented over 154 million deaths globally, including more than 146 million among children under five. Here in the U.S., among the roughly 117 million children born between 1994 and 2023, vaccines have averted an estimated 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1.1 million deaths — all while saving over $3.2 trillion in healthcare and societal costs.
These aren’t just statistics. They represent birthdays, graduations, family dinners and ordinary moments preserved — millions of them.
Yet vaccine-preventable diseases are making a comeback. Why? In large part, misinformation and confusion have led some to delay or avoid vaccines. And with highly contagious illnesses like measles, community immunity only works when at least 95% of the population is protected. Falling below that threshold opens the door to outbreaks — and unnecessary suffering.
We’ve known the value of vaccination since the founding of our nation. General George Washington insisted his troops be vaccinated against smallpox, understanding that victory depended on their health. That legacy continues today, as vaccines remain essential to the strength of our military, police, schools, healthcare system and society as a whole.
Vaccines do more than prevent acute infections. They reduce the risk of certain cancers like HPV-related cancers, and protect against long-term complications and respiratory illnesses like flu and RSV. They help keep our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and our workplaces running smoothly.
But access and science alone aren’t enough. Trust is essential. We need transparent communication, reliable information and community-based conversations to rebuild vaccine confidence and ensure everyone can make informed decisions.
So this August, let’s renew our commitment to protecting Utah’s future.
Take a moment to check your family’s immunization records. Whether it’s for your kids heading back to school, your aging parents or yourself, ensuring that everyone is up to date on their recommended vaccines is a simple but meaningful step.
Read and share information from trusted sources such as the CDC, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, and your healthcare provider. In a world full of noise and misinformation, sharing accurate, science-based facts can make a difference.
And most importantly, talk to a healthcare provider you trust. Ask questions. Understand what vaccines are recommended for your age and health status, as well as for those you love. These conversations can prevent disease, save lives and bring peace of mind.
Vaccines and the health they help ensure are gifts we give each other — today, and for generations to come. Let’s work together to ensure we are giving ourselves, our loved ones and our communities the healthiest possible future.