85S11868 BK-D By: Davis of Harris H.R. No. 182 R E S O L U T I O N WHEREAS, The observance of National Immunization Awareness Month in August 2017 provides an opportunity to reflect on the lifesaving power of immunization, promote education and awareness, and encourage all Texans to take action to protect their health; and WHEREAS, The invention of vaccines is undeniably one of the most important and transformative advancements in medicine, drastically reducing the incidence and morbidity of infectious diseases and saving lives that would otherwise be lost; by preventing and eliminating illnesses like polio, smallpox, mumps, and yellow fever that were once a tragic and inescapable reality, immunizations have changed the face of childhood and altered the course of every society on earth toward a healthier and more hopeful future; and WHEREAS, Although immunizations are a crucial tool for combating infectious disease, much remains to be done to ensure the availability and use of vaccines in the United States, which ranks 114th among world countries in its rate of measles immunization in infants; and WHEREAS, Because widespread immunizations limit the spread of disease among those who are too young or who are otherwise unable to receive vaccinations, a low rate of immunization has the troubling potential to endanger especially the more vulnerable members of society, and it creates a greater risk of disease outbreak; and WHEREAS, The importance of immunizations to the health of our communities cannot be overstated, and National Immunization Awareness Month in August provides an opportunity for educators, health professionals, and other citizens to come together to inform people of the steps to take to protect themselves and their loved ones; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby recognize August 2017 as National Immunization Awareness Month and encourage residents of the Lone Star State to help spread the message about the importance of immunization.