WHEREAS, Immunization Awareness Month highlights the importance of continuing to fight against infectious diseases through the use of vaccines, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared one of the top ten public health accomplishments of the 20th century and;

WHEREAS, according to the CDC, efforts to reduce transmission of COVID-19 through social distancing and stay-at-home orders led many parents and caregivers to forgo taking their children to see their health care providers for critical well-child visits where they would receive their scheduled immunizations; and 

WHEREAS, in preparation for the 2021 school year many children may need to catch up on needed vaccinations while also potentially receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada strives to protect all residents, both young and old, from preventable diseases; and

WHEREAS, vaccines are demonstrated to be an exceptionally safe method to prevent disease, as they are thoroughly tested before licensing and carefully monitored to ensure safety; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada and its many partners, federally, locally and in communities statewide are dedicated to ensuring that COVID-19 vaccine is available in convenient locations and all visitors and residents have the information they need to make the decision to be vaccinated; and

WHEREAS, partners continue to work to increase influenza vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to ease unnecessary burdens on health care systems and comorbidities during the upcoming fall and winter flu season; and

WHEREAS, the sustained immunization efforts of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health care professionals and public health has significantly reduced the threat of many infectious diseases; and

WHEREAS, the annual observance of Immunization Awareness Month is intended to celebrate the benefits of vaccines, highlight the importance of immunizations for people of all ages, and increase awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases and their prevention at local, state, and national levels;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim the month of August, 2021, as

IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH IN NEVADA