Immunizations: Not Just for Kids
Aug 17, 2015
August is National Immunization Month, a time to raise awareness about the immunizations for people of all ages.
All adults should get the influenza (flu) vaccine each year to protect against seasonal flu. Every adult should also get the Td or Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) 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.
August also means it's back-to-school season. So, in addition to gathering school supplies and back packs, it's also the perfect time to talk with your doctor and make sure children are up to date on their vaccines. Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to ensure a healthy future for their children.
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. After age 2, children are still recommended to receive a yearly flu vaccine and will be due for additional vaccine doses between 4 and 6 years of age.
Preteens and teens need Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine,quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, and HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine to protect against serious diseases. A yearly flu vaccine is also recommended for all children 6 months and older.Preteens and teens need vaccines because they are at greater risk for certain diseases like meningitis, septicemia (blood infection), and the cancers caused by HPV infection.
Things to know about vaccinations:
- Vaccines are recommended for adults to prevent serious diseases such as influenza, shingles, pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria, hepatitis, and whooping cough.
- Older adults and adults with chronic conditions are at risk for serious complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. Many of these diseases are common in the U.S., and all adults – even healthy ones – can benefit from vaccination.
- Some vaccines can help prevent cancer. Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent liver cancer that can develop after developing chronic hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine can prevent cancers caused by HPV infection, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar and anal cancer.
- Vaccination is important because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of diseases to others – especially those who are most vulnerable to serious complications, such as infants and young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.
- When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.
Learn more about recommended vaccines at www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
