We commend Gov. Spencer Cox for proclaiming August 2025 as Immunization Awareness Month in Utah. This important declaration highlights the life-saving power of vaccines and reaffirms our state’s commitment to public health and community well-being.
Vaccines have played a critical role in eradicating or controlling deadly diseases like smallpox, polio, rubella and measles. They protect our most vulnerable citizens — including infants, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals — by helping to ensure community immunity. The governor’s proclamation rightly emphasizes these benefits, along with the broader impact vaccines have in preventing certain cancers, reducing long-term complications, and lowering rates of respiratory illness.
As members of the Utah community, we applaud the governor’s support for continued investment in vaccine research, safety monitoring and equitable access. These efforts are essential to protecting all Utahns.
National Immunization Awareness Month is a timely opportunity to promote education, build trust and engage families in informed decisions about immunization. We urge parents, healthcare providers and community leaders to use this moment to share accurate information, address concerns and support evidence-based practices that keep us all safer.
A recent report, The Impact of Declining Vaccination Rates for Children Entering School in Utah, from the Community Vaccine Forum aligns with the governor’s proclamation and highlights the serious risks associated with declining childhood vaccination rates across the state. It is a reminder that maintaining high vaccination coverage is not just a personal choice, but a community responsibility.
Karen Crompton and Dixie Huefner, on behalf of the Utah Citizens’ Counsel, Salt Lake City
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