August is National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month in the U.S, a time to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. Not only does vaccination protect the person who gets the vaccine, but it also helps keep diseases from spreading to others in the community, like family members, neighbors and classmates.

Vaccinating for healthy communities

Vaccines play an important role in keeping you, your family and your community healthy. Vaccinating as many people as possible in a community significantly limits the spread of disease and helps protect people who cannot receive the vaccine because they are too young or they are allergic to the vaccine. When you get vaccinated, you’re protecting yourself and your community which protects those who are most vulnerable to illness, such as infants and young children, the elderly and those with chronic conditions or weakened immune systems.

Who needs to get vaccinated?

The need for vaccination does not end in childhood. All adults should get recommended vaccines to protect their health. Vaccines are recommended throughout our lives based on age, lifestyle, occupation, medical conditions and vaccines received in the past.

To learn more about what vaccines you need, visit the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention’s webpage on vaccination schedules for children and adults. Everyone should have their vaccination needs assessed by their personal doctor.

Please ask your personal doctor which vaccines you or your child may need and do your part to keep our communities healthy.