Protect Yourself and the People You Love. Get Vaccinated.

By University Hospital at Downstate | Aug 4, 2026

Each August, National Immunization Awareness Month reminds us of something simple but important: vaccines help protect us and the people we care about.

For more than 200 years, vaccines have prevented serious illness and saved millions of lives. They helped eliminate smallpox, greatly reduce polio, and protect people from diseases such as measles, whooping cough, hepatitis, and the flu.

Vaccines do more than protect the person receiving them. They also help protect babies, older adults, and people at higher risk of becoming seriously ill.

Vaccines are important throughout our lives. The vaccines you need may depend on your age, health, job, travel, and other factors. If you are not sure whether you or your family members are up to date, speak with a healthcare provider you trust. They can answer your questions and help you decide what is right for you. 

In this video, Michael Augenbraun, M.D., Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, explains why vaccines are so important. They prevent illness, save lives, and help protect entire communities. 

At Downstate, our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, researchers, students, and public health professionals work every day to help Brooklyn families get the care and information they need to stay healthy.

This National Immunization Awareness Month, take a moment to check your vaccination records and talk with your healthcare provider. Protecting yourself also helps protect your family, your neighbors, and your community. 

At Downstate, we are proud to help Brooklyn stay healthy by keeping trusted care close to home. #KeepCareClose

Tags: Infectious Diseases, Downstate Health, University Hospital at Downstate