Immunization helps prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. To stay protected against serious illnesses like the flu, measles, and pneumonia, adults need to get their shots – just like kids do. We can all use this month to raise awareness about vaccines and share strategies to increase immunization rates with our community,and a great time to promote vaccines and remind family, friends, and coworkers to stay up to date on their shots. We can all use this month to raise awareness about vaccines and share strategies to increase immunization rates with our community.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) The goal of NIAM is to increase awareness about immunizations across the lifespan, from infants to the elderly. August is an ideal time to make sure everyone is up-to-date on vaccines before heading back to school and to plan ahead to receive flu vaccine.Getting vaccinated is an easy way to stay healthy all year round. During the month of August, take the time to make sure that you and your loved ones have received all of the vaccinations you need. By making sure your vaccinations are up to date, you can help prevent harmful diseases from affecting you and your family.
Vaccines protect you all year round, but August is a great time to get vaccinated. In August, as summer winds down, it’s a good time for you and your family to make plans to get the flu vaccine. The vaccine usually becomes available in mid- to late-August. Getting the vaccine early can help prevent you and your family members from getting the flu throughout all of flu season. You can learn more about the flu and flu vaccine at Flu.gov. Make sure that you and your family are up-to-date on all recommended vaccines.
All adults should get the flu vaccine each year to protect against seasonal flu. Every adult should also get the Td (tetanus, diphtheria) or Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as a teen to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td booster shot every 10 years. In addition, women are also recommended to get the Tdap vaccine each time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks. Adults may need other vaccines – such as shingles, pneumococcal, hepatitis, HPV – depending on one’s age, occupation, travel, health status, vaccination history, and other risk factors.
? Babies receive vaccinations that help protect them from 14 diseases by age 2. It is very important that babies receive all doses of each vaccine, as well as receive each vaccination on time. Preteens and teens need Tdap (tetanus,diphtheria,pertussis) vaccine and quadrivalent meningococcal and HPV vaccine to protect against serious diseases. A yearly flu va?ccine is also recommended for all children 6 months and older. Vaccines are an important component of a healthy pregnancy?. Women should be up-to-date on their vaccines before becoming pregnant, and should receive vaccines against both the flu and whooping cough (pertussis) during pregnancy.
Vaccines are the best defense we have against these and other serious diseases, and it’s important to make sure that you’re up to date on all recommended vaccines. Use National Immunization Awareness Month as your chance to make sure that all your vaccinations are current. Talk with your healthcare provider about what vaccines you and your family need, and keep putting your healthiest foot forward!