HR1476: HR1476 National Immunization Awareness Month; August; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. Instead, it is a formal statement from the House of Representatives recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month. The bill's preamble lists a long series of findings about the benefits of vaccination, including estimates of lives saved, diseases prevented, and health care costs avoided both nationally and globally, and notes recent measles outbreaks and declining vaccination rates. In its operative resolving clauses, the House states that its members recognize August as National Immunization Awareness Month and that they promote vaccination as a highly effective and safe public health measure while remaining transparent about potential side effects. The resolution also directs the Clerk of the House to make copies available to the public and the press.

• Formally recognizes August as National Immunization Awareness Month through a House resolution.
• States that House members promote vaccination as an effective and safe public health measure.
• Commits to transparency about potential side effects associated with some vaccines.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and the press.

The resolution mainly affects the House of Representatives itself as a symbolic statement. It references public health more broadly, touching on parents of young children, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and public health agencies like the CDC and FDA, though it creates no new obligations for them.

Because this is a resolution rather than a bill amending Georgia law, it carries no legal force or funding. Its practical effect is to put the House's stance on record, which can influence public messaging and awareness campaigns around vaccination during August.

• The whereas clauses cite global and national vaccination statistics, including estimates of deaths averted and health care costs saved.
• The whereas clauses note a rise in measles outbreaks in 2025 and the risk of losing the United States' measles elimination status.
• The first resolving clause has the House recognize August as National Immunization Awareness Month and promote vaccination while noting potential side effects.
• The final resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to make copies of the resolution available to the public and press.

1. 2026-03-03House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-02-26House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-02-25House Hopper (House)

• Sharon Cooper (R, HD-045)Primary sponsor
• Lynn Smith (R, HD-070)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)
• Teddy Reese (D, HD-140)

• vaccination
• public health
• immunization awareness
• measles outbreaks
• legislative resolutions