National Immunization Awareness Month
It is never too soon to begin thinking about what we can do to stay health.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a great time to think ahead and get a jump start on planning for the upcoming fall and school season. One of the best things we can do for ourselves and our families is to visit the doctor and get our shots – that’s right – get our shots! We may not all realize it but adults need to be immunized too. Flu and pneumonia season, which occurs between October and May, will soon be here and it is important to learn more about immunization recommendations for adults. It is important to know that:
- Vaccines cannot cause the diseases they protect against because the microorganisms in vaccines are dead or weakened
- Even though we are immunized as children, many vaccines require boosters. You should see your doctor to make sure that you are fully protected from common vaccine preventable diseases
- People with chronic diseases need to be particularly diligent about getting their shots. Vaccine preventable diseases can cause life threatening illness in people with other conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and HIV/AIDS
- It is important for adults to be immunized. In fact, about 60,000 adults die each year from vaccine-preventable illnesses.
Older Black women are more likely than any other group of women not be immunized for the main preventable diseases that cause the most sickness each year. So be wise about your health and take the necessary steps to be your healthiest you. Here are some facts about the (keep vaccines) recommended for adults:
Influenza
Vaccination for influenza is recommended for adults aged 50 years and older, pregnant women or women who will be pregnant during flu season, persons with certain chronic medical conditions, persons in long-term care facilities, and health care workers and other persons in close contact with those at high risk.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccine is recommended for adults aged 65 years and older and for people with certain health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, sickle cell disease, and HIV/AIDS.
Shingles
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful, blistering skin rash due to the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has chickenpox, the virus remains inactive (becomes dormant) in certain nerves in the body. Shingles occurs after the virus becomes active again in these nerves years later. The zoster or shingles vaccine is recommended for adults over the age of 60.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis B infection can be spread through having contact with the blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and other body fluids of someone who already has a hepatitis B infection. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all contacts of Hepatitis B positive persons, individuals seeking STD evaluation and treatment, healthcare workers, dialysis patients and HIV positive persons.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver. Hepatitis C infection can be spread through having contact with the blood of someone who already has a hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C vaccine is recommended for all contacts of Hepatitis C positive persons, individuals seeking STD evaluation and treatment, healthcare workers, dialysis patients and HIV positive persons.
HPV
The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine is the vaccine that prevents certain types of HPV that are likely to cause cancer of the cervix. It is recommended for women and girls between ages 9 and 26. To learn more about the HPV vaccine click here (link to HPV vaccine fact sheet)
Get the CDC’s adult immunization scheduler! Click Here
Download this handy tool which automatically reminds you when your immunizations are due!
Get the FluF.A.C.T.S. iphone App! Click Here
The Fight the Flu mobile app for your iPhone gives you a powerful tool to help protect yourself and your family against the flu.
With this easy-to-use mobile app, you've got all the information you need to stay ahead of the flu - right at your fingertips!
Resources/Links
Imperative HPV Fact Sheet
Imperative Flu Fact Sheet
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Immunization Program
National Network for Immunization Information
Department of Health and Human Services Flu Information Site