National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW) is an annual event held in the last week of April to highlight and recognize the importance of immunization. This year, Canada’s NIAW – from 22 to 30 April 2024 – coincides with Vaccination Week in the Americas and World Immunization Week.
Theme: Protect your future. Get immunized!
We here at Immunize Canada believe that no one should be left behind when it comes to protecting the future of their health and that of their families, friends and communities. This National Immunization Awareness Week (NIAW), our theme – Protect your future. Get immunized! – will shed light on the importance of staying up to date on recommended vaccinations so that everyone can have the chance to live healthier lives protected against preventable diseases.
Vaccine recommendations are updated over time as new evidence and findings come forward, and as new vaccines become available. This can sometimes make it difficult for people to know which vaccines they need and which vaccines they are eligible for. Some people might not realize that they need to get caught up on their vaccines. For example, adults and pregnant people may not know that they need to get immunized against certain diseases. Some people may think that vaccines are just for kids – but, in fact, immunizations are needed throughout the lifespan.
Our goal at Immunize Canada is to help Canadians make confident vaccination decisions – by creating and providing evidence-based, up-to-date, and accessible resources on immunization. Check out our NIAW resources below to learn more.
#NIAW2024 #VaccinesWork #GetImmunized
Celebrate National Immunization Awareness Week with us!
Tips on how to celebrate #NIAW2024!
Proclaim
Proclaim National Immunization Awareness Week 2024 in your community, using thissample Proclamation
Meet Dr. Anne Pham-Huy. She’s the Chair of Immunize Canada and knows that immunization is the strongest defense against preventable diseases.
During this National Immunization Awareness Week, Dr. Anne (a pediatric infectious disease specialist) wants Canadians to know that it is more important than ever to keep their families’ immunizations up to date.
She says, ‘Delaying or missing vaccines could leave your children, family, and community vulnerable to infectious diseases. No one should be left behind when it comes to protecting the future of their health and that of their families, friends and communities. Protect your future – get immunized!’
Liz Ellwood is committed to creating positive change. Diagnosed with cervical cancer at 24, she became an advocate for the prevention of the disease. HPV causes cervical cancer and is preventable through vaccination.
Liz hopes that sharing her cervical cancer survival story will inspire and empower Canadians to take preventative action against HPV. She advocates to not only increase awareness about the prevention of cervical cancer, but all HPV-related cancers and diseases, through vaccination.
She is a tireless advocate for women’s health and encourages Canadians to take action against HPV by getting immunized. Liz encourages everyone to get the HPV vaccine.
Watch and share our NIAW videos
Let’s catch up with confidence | short video
Hear Neil’s story about his sister Alison’s battle with cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), and the importance of getting vaccinated against HPV | short video
Hear Andrea's story about her daughter's near-fatal encounter with meningitis B, and the importance of getting vaccinated against it | short video
Hear Dr. Vivien Brown speak about the importance of staying up to date with routine and recommended immunizations | short video
Download and share our NIAW posters
I almost lost my life to meningitis B. Now, we’re raising awareness to save others.
(poster: PDF)
HPV took my sister from me. Now, I’m raising awareness to save others.
(poster: PDF)
Share our NIAW social media images
I almost lost my life to meningitis B. Now, we’re raising awareness to save others.
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I almost lost my life to meningitis B. Now, we’re raising awareness to save others.
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I almost lost my life to meningitis B. Now, we’re raising awareness to save others.
(social media image 3: .png)
I almost lost my life to meningitis B. Now, we’re raising awareness to save others.
(social media image 4: .png)
HPV took my sister from me. Now, I’m raising awareness to save others.
(social media image 5: .png)
HPV took my sister from me. Now, I’m raising awareness to save others.
(social media image 6: .png)
HPV took my sister from me. Now, I’m raising awareness to save others.
(social media image 7: .png)
HPV took my sister from me. Now, I’m raising awareness to save others.