It’s National Immunization Awareness Month!
Though needles are no fun for anyone, getting the right immunizations for your age group (or your children’s) can keep you and your family out of medical trouble down the road. Since it is the *CDC’s Immunization Awareness Month, we’re taking a look at the shots and boosters that are recommended for you and your family are various ages and stages of life! Still with us? We’ll hold your hand!
Infants: Before reaching 15 months of age, the CDC recommends that babies be immunized for several infectious diseases, including flu, whooping cough, polio and measles, which has seen a recent resurgence. Here is the list of those vaccines and the diseases they defend against.
● DTaP: Diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis
● MMR: Measles, mumps and rubella
● Hep A: Hepatitis A
● Hep B: Hepatitis B
● Hib: Haemophilus influenzae type b
● Flu: Influenza
● PCV13: Pneumococcal disease
● Polio: Polio
● RV: Rotavirus
● Varicella: Chicken pox
Children and teens: Some children are on individual immunization plans that parents and families establish. Even if children haven’t had these vaccines by the time they start elementary school, they can still get them when they are older.
● Meningitis: Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV) is recommended for children under 12, with a booster vaccine between ages 16-18.
● HPV: This vaccine, given in three doses to boys and girls starting at age 11 or 12, protects against human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer.
● Flu: Doctors recommend everyone older than 6 months get a flu shot each year to protect against strains of influenza.
Adults: Unless you’re traveling to an exotic locale – in which case, we’re jealous! — most healthy adults just need a flu shot each year. But since medical necessities differ by age, check in periodically with your doctor to see if there are any vaccines they recommend you get. Depending on birth date, overall health, lifestyle and other factors, you could need vaccines against pneumonia, meningitis, shingles, chicken pox, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis or tetanus.
Pregnant women: Women can pass immunities on to their babies during pregnancy. Immunizations like DTaP for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis, and the flu vaccine are recommended during pregnancy.
We also want to recognize that vaccinations are a hot topic in many circles. The CDC speaks about these studies as well, so we recommend doing research and pursing information if there are any decisions you are unsure of.
Are you and your family up to date on all your immunizations? Kick off the month of August by making your family’s health a priority as part of National Immunization Awareness Month.
*CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
