SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and County Council declared the month of August as Immunization Awareness Month, recognizing the importance of immunization in saving lives and encouraging residents to stay up to date with their vaccines.
“Immunizations have quite literally changed the trajectory of humanity,” said Executive Shapiro. “The number of lives that have been saved due to this scientific advancement is simply remarkable. It’s important that we do not take this for granted and that we recognize the role of vaccines in creating a strong, healthy community.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 154 million lives, including 101 million infants, have been saved due to immunization efforts across the world in the past 50 years. This is equivalent to 6 lives saved every minute of every year for the last 50 years. In fact, compared to all other interventions, immunization has been found to be the single greatest contributor to ensure infants live to see their first birthday and continue to lead healthy lives into their adulthood.
Dangerous diseases like polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, diphtheria, rotavirus, hepatitis, and more, are at risk of causing serious harm if prevention is not taken seriously. Measles, one of the most contagious diseases known, was considered to be eradicated in the United States in 2000 thanks to robust vaccination efforts. According to the CDC, there have been 11 outbreaks of measles in 2024 with cases across 22 states. At only the midpoint of 2024, this marks a 175% increase in outbreaks compared to the entirety of 2023.
“Vaccines are critical to saving lives and keeping ourselves and our loved ones healthy,” said Health Commissioner Donna Skoda. “I encourage residents to stay up to date on all their vaccinations and if you need help doing so, give Summit County Public Health a call!”
To stay up to date on recommended vaccines for people in your age group, contact your primary care physician or visit Summit County Public Health’s immunization recommendations by age group.
COVID-19 vaccines are still available at Summit County Public Health’s clinic by appointment only. To receive a COVID-19 vaccine or any other recommended immunization, you can request an appointment at scph.org/appointment or call (330) 375-2772.
