August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says
August is the perfect month for people to become aware of immunizations because
parents are sending children back to school, college students are returning to campus
and health care workers are preparing for flu season.
Perhaps another reason for dedicating a month to one cause is because immunizations
affect a broad span of people, from infants to the elderly. Being aware of what
vaccines are recommended for you at this stage in your life is a critical part of
protecting yourself and your community from diseases.
Important adult immunizations include Influenza, Hepititis B Virus Pneumococcal
Polyaccharide (PPV), and revaccinations.
Recommended vaccines for teens
and the college-bound are the Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertussis vaccine, the Meningococcal
vaccine (Recommended for previously unvaccinated college freshmen living in dormitories.),
HPV vaccine series, Hepatitis B vaccine series, Polio vaccine series and the Measles-Mumps-Rubella(MMR)
series
As part of National Immunization month, Community Hospital-Fairfax has encouraged
healthcare personnel to keep up to date on vaccinations. Posters have been placed
around the hospital, reminding the staff that by protecting themselves with immunization,
they are protecting their patients as well.
To learn more about which immunizations are important for you and your family, visit
the Center for Disease control website at www.cdc.gov.