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Indiana immunization rates trail the national average as CDC data shows most U.S. adults are behind on recommended vaccines. August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and Jane Pauley Community Health Center is encouraging Hoosiers of all ages to review their vaccine schedules and talk with their doctors about staying up to date.
Immunization remains one of the most powerful tools in public health, averting an estimated 4.4 million deaths worldwide each year. Yet Indiana’s childhood immunization rates for diseases like measles and the flu continue to fall below the national average. The issue isn’t limited to children; a 2024 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analysis found that a majority of U.S. adults had not received age-appropriate vaccinations.
“Vaccines remain one of the most effective tools we have for protecting individuals and communities from serious, preventable diseases,” says Jane Pauley Community Health Center Pediatrician Dr. Rita Patel. “With so many adults and children behind on recommended vaccines, National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to check your schedule and catch up. I encourage every Hoosier to check their family’s vaccine schedule, talk with their doctor about what they might be missing, and take that simple step to protect themselves and the people around them.”
Jane Pauley Community Health Center is urging Hoosiers to take the following steps this month:
- Review your family’s vaccine schedule with your healthcare provider
- Catch up on any missed or overdue vaccinations, for children and adults alike
- Talk to a doctor about age-appropriate immunizations, especially for older adults