 Since 2007, NASN has worked to help raise awareness about the importance of up-to-date immunizations and routine health check-ups for school-aged children through the Give Your Kids a Boost! national educational campaign.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends immunizations that can help protect school-aged children against vaccine-preventable diseases, including pertussis (whooping cough). In the U.S., according to the 2008 National Immunization Survey (the most recent data available), adolescent immunization rates for routinely recommended vaccines has increased. However, there is still room for improvement. For example, among adolescents aged 13–17 years, coverage with ≥1 dose of Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, acellular pertussis) has increased from 30.4% in 2007 to 40.8% in 2008. While this represents an increase of more than 10%, it also means that a large number of adolescents have yet to receive the Tdap vaccine to continue to help prevent whooping cough.
This year, NASN is continuing the Give Your Kids a Boost! campaign by providing educational resources about the importance of up-to-date immunizations to help support NASN members in their schools. Please share these materials below with families and others in your communities. |