<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />ALEXANDRIA  Va -- The National Partnership for Immunization (NPI) has designated August 2004 as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) Each year  this commemorative month increases awareness about immunization across the lifespan as parents and children prepare for the return to school  and the medical community begins preparations for the upcoming flu season