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Build Immunization Awareness During August
By Tammy Wishard

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If you weren’t already aware, August is National Immunization Awareness Month.

 As a physician, you’re aware of how important vaccines are for public health. But some of your patients might not know or understand the benefits of getting vaccinated.

 Whether you’re talking to parents of young children, senior citizens, or anyone in between, TMA’s Be Wise – Immunize has some tools you can use:

  1. Vaccination infographics: These easy-to-read, one-page handouts in English and Spanish help patients understand what vaccinations they need and when. Eight infographics on a variety of vaccination topics are available. Check out TMA’s newest offerings on meningococcal disease and childhood vaccinations.
  2. Talk to Your Patients About …: This 19-month campaign focuses on one vaccine-preventable disease each month, many of which practicing physicians and the public haven’t seen in their lifetimes. Each installment includes a story in Texas Medicine, a video, and a patient handout on the specific disease. The series wraps up next month with a focus on vaccines in pregnancy.
  1. Flu posters: Remind your employees about the importance of getting their annual flu shot with this poster to hang in your break room or other areas where your staff gather.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has resources for communicating with parents and patients as well as how to talk to your staff and colleagues. 

Be Wise is here to help you ensure your patients and staff are up to date on their vaccinations, and to help you promote the safety, importance, and effectiveness of vaccinations. Find out how you can get involved.

TMA plans to provide new and more ways for TMA family members to be involved in vaccination outreach and to better equip physicians to be vaccine advocates and providers. Watch for more details in the coming months and in 2020. And see what we found out in our recent Be Wise – Immunize survey.

If you have questions about the Be Wise program, email Tammy Wishard, TMA’s outreach coordinator or call her at 512-370-1470.

Be Wise – Immunize is funded in 2019 by the TMA Foundation thanks to H-E-B, TMF Health Quality Institute, Pfizer Inc., and gifts from physicians and their families.

Last Updated On

September 11, 2023

Originally Published On

August 01, 2019

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Tammy Wishard

Account Manager, Division of Communications and Marketing

(512) 370-1470
tammy.wishard[at]texmed[dot]org  
Tammy Wishard

Tammy Wishard is an account manager in TMA’s Marketing Department. She works with TMA’s Office of Trust Fund Administration and other departments to help communicate the broad range of services and resources TMA offers its members. She has a 25-plus-year history with TMA, where she started as a writer/editor. Tammy, a proud Iowa native, is a graduate of Abilene Christian University.

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