WHEREAS, safe and effective vaccines are readily available to protect adolescents against dangerous and often deadly diseases such as meningitis, cancer, hepatitis, and COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, adolescent vaccinations also help protect families, friends, and entire communities from the spread of preventable disease; and
WHEREAS, the burden of vaccine-preventable disease in North Carolina occurs among adolescents, and particularly those living in socially vulnerable communities; and
WHEREAS, adolescents who have not obtained the required vaccinations for their age on the first day of school may be excluded from participating in certain activities until they are up to date; and
WHEREAS, an adolescents’ pediatrician or health care professional has the knowledge and expertise to provide guidance as to what vaccinations are due during routine health care visits; and
WHEREAS, the annual observance of Adolescent Immunization Awareness Month is intended to increase public knowledge, acceptance and use of vaccines to better protect the health of North Carolina’s youth; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina residents and health care providers are encouraged to learn more about the threat, medical implications, and prevention of adolescent vaccine preventable diseases;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim July, 2021, as “ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.