August is National Immunization Month, which was created to highlight the importance of vaccines for all ages. So why exactly are immunizations important for people in all walks of life? (We have a hint: they can be lifesaving). Find out below.
Babies & Young Children
When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for disease and can spread disease to others in their play groups, child care centers, classrooms, and communities – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.
With vaccines, you have a safe and proven way to protect your children from serious diseases. By age two, babies should receive vaccinations given on a schedule that will protect them from 14 diseases. After age 2, children are still recommended to receive a yearly flu vaccine.
From ages 4to 6, children become due for additional doses of some vaccines and immunizations. Following the vaccine schedule is incredibly important for you child’s health, but if your child happens to fall behind, vaccines can still be given as a “catch-up”.
For more information on what immunizations your child should have, click here.
Preteens & Teens
As your teens and young adults attend middle school, high school, and also college, there are vaccines that can protect them from preventable diseases by following the recommended immunization schedule.
There are four main vaccines for preteen and teenage years that protect against serious diseases:
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine to protect against meningitis and blood infections (septicemia).
- HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV.
- Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (pertussis).
- A yearly flu vaccine to protect against seasonal flu.
Adults
As an adult, you should get vaccines to protect your health. Even healthy adults can become seriously ill with vaccine-preventable diseases and pass these diseases on to others. In order to have your vaccination needs assessed, you should visit a health care provider. For adult, certain vaccines are recommended based on a person’s age, occupation, or health conditions (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes or heart disease).
Vaccination is important because it protects the person receiving the vaccine and helps prevent the spread of disease, especially to those who are most vulnerable to serious complications By getting vaccines, you can help protect the vulnerable: infants and young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.
Again, it is important to contact a healthcare provider so they can specifically address your vaccination needs.
Adults 60 years and older
Adults 60 years and older are recommended to receive the shingles vaccine. And adults 65 and older are recommended to receive one or more pneumococcal vaccines. Some adults younger than 65 years with certain high-risk conditions are also recommended to receive one or more pneumococcal vaccinations.
If you are 60 years or older, you should speak to a healthcare provider in order to determine what vaccines you need.
What immunizations do you need?
If reading this has made you realize that you or your children might be due for vaccines, you can call (800) 321-5043 and make an appointment with us. We will be happy to create a personal vaccination plan for you and your family!
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