CANTON -- The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department is participating in National Immunization Awareness Month.

In addition to that, the St. Lawrence County legislature on Monday, Aug. 5 unanimously passed a resolution declaring August to be “National Immunization Awareness Month.” Legislator Kevin Acres, R-Madrid, introduced the bill.

The resolution calls vaccination “one of the most convenient and safest preventative care measures available.”

This annual observance highlights the importance of people getting recommended vaccines throughout their lifetimes.

“You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases like whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, pneumonia, and measles,” the announcement from the Public Health Department said. Currently, areas of New York State are experiencing a measles outbreak. As of August 6, there were 379 confirmed cases of measles in New York State outside of New York City. So far, 6 counties have been affected.

Vaccines protect people by preparing the immune system to recognize and fight serious and sometimes deadly diseases. To help keep communities and families safe, the Public Health Department encourages people to talk to their health care providers to ensure they and their families are up to date on recommended vaccines. “Getting vaccines on time is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and others from serious diseases,” the department said.

As children head back to school this fall, the department asks parents to make sure vaccination is at the top of the checklist.

“August is also a key time to make sure you know which vaccines you need to stay healthy. When you get vaccinated, you not only protect yourself but you also help protect the people around you who might be too young or too sick to get vaccinated themselves. If enough people stop getting vaccinated, outbreaks of now rare vaccine-preventable diseases can return, like we have seen with the measles,” the announcement from the department said.

The St. Lawrence County Public Health Clinic offers immunizations for children and adults every Wednesday. Call (315) 229-3452 to make an appointment. The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department will also be sharing information and resources on its Facebook page @SLCPublicHealth to highlight the importance of vaccines. For questions or for more information, call the Public Health Department at 315-386-2325.