Immunizations Are for Everyone

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. With the importance of this month comes also comes the responsibility of getting yourself and your children vaccinated.

Why get vaccinated? Here are some important reasons:

• Vaccines can save lives. Vaccine-preventable diseases can cause long-term illness, hospitalization and even death.
• Reduce the chance of spreading disease. Many of these vaccine-preventable diseases are contagious. Getting the vaccination can reduce the risk that you’ll get sick and spread the disease. For young children or others who may not be able to get certain vaccinations due to their age, health or other factors, you are helping to protect them by getting your vaccinations.
• People with chronic conditions are more vulnerable to complications. Adults who smoke, have weakened immune systems or have a chronic health condition (such as asthma, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes are more vulnerable to complications including long-term illness, hospitalization and death.
• Being non-vaccinated can make you sick and it costs money. Medical visits and treatment cost money. Work is missed, co-pays and lots of out-of-pocket expenses can add up. Children may have to stay home from school and day care, and you may have to find alternative child care arrangements. Getting vaccinations can avoid unnecessary expenses to your household.
• Vaccinations protect your health when you travel. International travel may expose us to illnesses that aren’t circulating in the United States. Check the CDC website before you travel to other countries. https://www.cdc.gov/features/adultvaccinations/index.html

During this National Immunization Awareness Month, I would be remiss not mentioning the measles outbreaks that have occurred in many parts of the United States. This is not something to take lightly. The number of cases continue to jump each year due to people being unvaccinated and the prevalence of international travel.

Measles used to be common when I was a kid. I had it. The only thing I remember is being moved to my parent’s bedroom to isolate me to protect my younger sister with whom I shared a room. I had a high fever and light hurt my eyes so bad that my mother had to keep the shade down in the room. I was lucky not to have any lasting effects and, thankfully, my sister didn’t catch them from me.

For many years we had widespread immunity in the United States, but due to reduced vaccination rates, the incidence of measles has increased significantly. Measles is highly contagious virus in the nose and throat of an infected person that can cause many complications. If you haven’t received the vaccination, you’re more likely to get the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that children and adults receive the measles vaccine to prevent measles. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html

The CDC has recommended vaccination schedules for all age groups.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html. Get up to date on your immunizations now and tell your family and friends. Please. We all thank you.