As kids are heading back to school and summer is winding down, August can be a very busy month. While it is back to school season and families are picking up school supplies, lunch boxes, and backpacks, August is also National Immunization Awareness Month. The goal is to remind families to make sure that they and their children are prepared to defend their bodies against preventable illnesses as well as tackle a new school year.
Even though there are a variety of immunizations that are given throughout childhood, National Immunization Awareness Month seeks to remind people that there are actually vaccines for all ages. One very important vaccine for everyone in the family to plan to get annually is the flu vaccine. August is also a good time to ensure that everyone is caught up on all immunizations to keep your household healthy throughout the rest of the year.
By doing something as simple as keeping up on your vaccines and those of your family members, you can take simple steps to preventing harmful and preventable diseases. In addition to the flu vaccine, there are also immunizations to protect both children and adults against dangerous illnesses like pneumonia and measles. You can help your family, friends, and coworkers stay safe and healthy by raising awareness in your community too!
When you head to your family doctor for before school check-ups and physicals, or to get the flu shot for your family, ask him or her if everyone in the family is all caught up on vaccines. Although August is a convenient time to check on them, these immunizations will keep you safe for the rest of the year too, and some of them for years to come! You can get a quick snapshot of some of the vaccines that adults and adolescents in your family may need through this short online quiz provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Don’t just stop at informing and protecting yourself and your family. Help your community, and the schools and businesses in it, stay up to date and healthy as well! You can use National Immunization Awareness Month to help raise awareness in your local community and online! The National Immunization Awareness Month event site hosted by the National Public Health Information Coalition has a variety of resources available to help you get the word out and support the cause of making sure that our communities begin the school year and the flu season healthy, prepared, and informed.
Are you interested in finding out more about making a career out of helping to keep your community healthy? Check out the Ross Medical Education Center healthcare training programs!