August is National Immunization Awareness Month. National Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. With school starting back up at the end of August, the Marion County Public Health Department would like to remind parents of the importance of getting their children immunized. Nurse Judi VanHulzen with the department tells KNIA/KRLS News if children are going into kindergarten they need their immunizations up to date and parents can find out if their child is up to date by calling Marion County Public Health. Van Hulzen says any student going into 7th grade needs their TDAP or Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, meningococcal and hpv vaccines and all 12th graders over the age of 16 need a second meningococcal vaccine. If parents have no health insurance for their child or their child is under-insursed or have Medicaid insurance, they qualify to receive their vaccinations at no cost. For more information click here: