1Recognizing the month of August 2014 as "National Immunization
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Immunization is one of the most significant public
4health achievements of the 20th century; and

5WHEREAS, The United States has eradicated smallpox and polio
6and seen the incidence of measles, pertussis and diphtheria fall
7by more than 98% since the discovery of vaccinations; and

8WHEREAS, Vaccines are available for hepatitis A, hepatitis B,
9influenza, diphtheria, cervical cancer (HPV), measles,
10meningococcal, mumps, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, polio,
11rabies, shingles, smallpox, tetanus, tuberculosis, typhoid
12fever, varicella, yellow fever and several other diseases; and

13WHEREAS, Throughout the world, 1.7 million children die
14annually from diseases that could have been prevented with
15readily available vaccinations; and

16WHEREAS, Only 77% of children in the United States have
17received all of the recommended vaccinations; and

1WHEREAS, Annually, 50,000 adults die in the United States
2from diseases that could have been prevented with readily
3available vaccinations; and

4WHEREAS, Pneumonia and influenza are the fifth leading cause
5of death among adults 65 years of age or older; and

6WHEREAS, Less than 70% of adults 65 years of age or older are
7vaccinated for both pneumonia and influenza; and

8WHEREAS, August is the ideal month for children to receive
9immunizations before school begins; therefore be it

10RESOLVED, That the Senate:

11(1) support the goals and ideals of National
12Immunization Awareness Month;

13(2) encourage local communities to raise awareness
14surrounding the benefits of immunization;

15(3) encourage individuals to receive recommended
16immunizations;

17(4) recognize and salute health care professionals and
18researchers that have facilitated the success of
19immunizations in eradicating and drastically decreasing the
20incidence of several diseases; and

21(5) recognize and reaffirm the nation's commitment to
22continued education surrounding immunization and to
23furthering every available opportunity for the immunization
24of children and adults;

25and be it further

26RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the month of August 2014
27as "National Immunization Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.