Tell Your Story: National Immunization Awareness Month 2018

August 9, 2018

Vaccines are an emotional topic for many Michigan parents. This video highlights voices from real parents who support vaccination – and why.

As parents, we weigh the benefits and risks of any decision we make for our kids, including choosing to vaccinate. The good news is that vaccinating your child is one of the safest and most effective things you can do to protect them – you should feel proud of your decision!

August marks National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) and I Vaccinate wants to celebrate the Michigan parents who choose to vaccinate and empower more parents to get the facts they need to protect their children.

How can you help spread the word about protecting Michigan children from vaccine preventable-diseases? Here are two quick ways:

Update your Facebook profile picture! Show your pride by using the I Vaccinate filter on your profile photo to let your friends and family know why you choose to vaccinate your child. You can find the Facebook profile picture frame by visiting our Facebook page and looking for the post below, pinned to the top of the news feed.

2. Use the #IVaccinate hashtag to share a photo and tell your story on social media!

It’s easy! Just follow these three simple steps:

Fill in the blank! Include the hashtags #IVaccinate and #NIAM18 when you share why you choose to vaccinate to join the national conversation about protecting your child from vaccine-preventable diseases.

#IVaccinate because ______________ #NIAM18

Include a fun photo of your child or something else that symbolizes why you vaccinate.
Post your story on social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – and encourage your friends, family and neighbors to do the same!

By sharing your story, you help spread the word that vaccines are essential to keeping our kids and communities healthy. And stay tuned to our social media channels for more #NIAM18 information to share:

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You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

As parents, determining how best to protect our children can be overwhelming and confusing. We’re here to help.

Recommended Immunization Schedules

These schedules list the age or age range when each vaccine or series of shots is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If your child (birth through 6 years old) or adolescent (age 7 through 18 years old) has missed any shots, talk to your child’s doctor about getting back on track.

From birth through 6 years
From 7 through 18 years
For adults (19 years or older)
Catch up schedule
Building Blocks for MI Immunity from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Vaccine Schedule Based On Your Child’s Birthday
Make sure your child is immunized on schedule. For a complete list of recommended immunizations, just select your child’s birth date.
From the CDC

Immunization Tracker
This print-friendly chart helps you track your child’s vaccinations at each appointment.
From the CDC

Request your child’s immunization record

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), is an immunization registry managed by MDHHS and reported to by immunization providers. MCIR allows healthcare providers or individuals to access their immunization records regardless of their location in Michigan. This system also helps to track local and state immunization rates of Michigan residents to ensure immunity to vaccine-preventable illnesses. MCIR is a lifespan registry that includes infant through adult records.

Request a copy of your child’s MCIR record from your doctor’s office or your local health department
Request a copy of your child’s MCIR record from MDHHS department

For your appointment

Before, during, and after pregnancy protection
When you’re pregnant, you share everything with your baby. That means when you get vaccines, you aren’t just protecting yourself — you are giving your baby some early protection, too. The CDC has guidelines for the vaccines you and your baby need before, during, and after pregnancy.
From the CDC

Get prepared: Before, during, and after your child’s appointment
There are things you can do before, during and after your child’s appointment to make them easier and less stressful for both of you.
From the CDC

Mobile app from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia created a free mobile app called Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know so you can access credible, science-based information from wherever and whenever you need it.

Find your local Michigan public health department or immunization clinic
See the directory of Michigan’s 45 local public health departments for more information on your child’s immunization record and where to get them vaccinated.

Other Vaccination Organizations & Advocates

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals.

Shot by Shot
Stories of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is a collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Voices for Vaccines
Voices for Vaccines is a parent-led organization that supports and advocates for on-time vaccination and the reduction of vaccine-preventable disease.

Seattle Mama Doc: A Blog by Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson
Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson is a practicing pediatrician and the mother of two young boys. She practices at The Everett Clinic in Mill Creek, Washington, is on the medical staff at Seattle Children’s and is a clinical instructor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington.

Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
PKIDs’ mission is to educate the public about infectious diseases, the methods of prevention and transmission, the latest advances in medicine, and the elimination of social stigma borne by the infected; and to assist the families of the children living with hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, or other chronic, viral infectious diseases with emotional, financial and informational support.

Vaccine Safety

My Child’s Risk

Protecting our Communities

You have questions. We have answers.

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Resources

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Tell Your Story: National Immunization Awareness Month 2018

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Quick Links

You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

Recommended Immunization Schedules

Michigan School & childcare Immunization Requirements

Request your child’s immunization record

For your appointment

Other Vaccination Organizations & Advocates

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