August is National Immunizations Month Published Aug. 14, 2007 FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month. The goal of NIAM is to increase awareness about immunizations across the life span, from infants to our senior citizens. August is the perfect time to remind family, friends, grandparents, co-workers and people in the community to catch up on their vaccinations. Parents are enrolling their children in school, students are entering college and healthcare workers are preparing for the upcoming flu season. Immunization is important because it is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends, and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections. Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease. Because children are particularly vulnerable to infection, most vaccines are given during the first five to six years of life. Other immunizations are recommended during adolescent or adult years and, for certain vaccines, booster immunizations are recommended throughout life. Vaccines against certain diseases that may be encountered when traveling outside of the U.S. are recommended for travelers to specific regions of the world. One great resource is the Childhood Immunization Schedule, offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/kidstuff/newscheduler_le/. Just plug in the birth date of your child and the CDC affords a complete schedule of immunizations from birth through ages 11 - 12. The 92nd Medical Group Immunizations clinic will automatically print one for parents scheduled in pediatrics for a well appointment. Another outstanding resource is the 2007 Childhood, Adolescent, and Catch-up Immunization Schedules which can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm#printable. Not forgetting our adult population, the 92nd MDG will be offering the new vaccine, Zostavax, to reduce the risk of shingles to people 60 and older by early to mid September. You can also download the recommended immunization schedule for anyone 18 and older at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm#print. The 92nd MDG currently offers the Human Papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, to all females ages 11 - 26. The approved Food and Drug Administration vaccine against the most common sexually transmitted infections is now available at the Fairchild Immunization Clinic, which can be reached at 247-5284.
