August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting the recommended vaccines throughout your life. You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases, like whooping cough, cancers caused by HPV, and pneumonia, with vaccines.
During NIAM, we at Community Care Physicians encourage you talk to your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare professional to ensure you and your family are up-to-date on recommended vaccines.
Maternal Vaccination
Pregnancy is a magical journey that ends with a new beautiful life. There is so much to remember if you want to have a healthy baby, like staying up-to-date on your vaccines before you are pregnant and getting recommended vaccines while you are pregnant. This can help protect yourself and your baby from serious diseases like whooping cough and the flu, and help give your baby a healthy start to life! Some diseases are more serious for pregnant women, like the flu. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy can put pregnant women at increased risk of contracting a serious illness. The risk of premature labor and delivery is also increased in pregnant women with the flu. Ask your doctor or nurse about vaccines you need during pregnancy to protect yourself and your baby. If you are in need of a healthcare practitioner or OB/GYN, call our Concierge Care Coordinator at (518) 782-3800 to get more information on our practices. You can also check out the obstetrics and gynecology offices we have in the capital region.
Childhood/Adolescent Vaccination
We all want our children to lead a healthy life, but without vaccines, they children could be a victim of serious diseases, like measles, cancers caused by HPV, and whooping cough. Preteens and teens need four vaccines to protect them against serious diseases:
- Meningococcal conjugate vaccine to protect against meningitis and bloodstream infections.
- HPV vaccine to protect against cancers caused by HPV.
- Tdap vaccine to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough.
- Yearly flu vaccine to protect against the seasonal flu.
Vaccines are tested to make sure they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages. The reason children receive certain vaccinations at certain ages is to provide immunity early in life before they are likely exposed to serious diseases. Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects. Fortunately, most common side effects are mild and go away quickly! Did you know, by getting your child the recommended vaccines during childhood and adolescence, you are actually protecting them from 16 serious diseases!
Adult Vaccination
Vaccines aren’t just for kids! Adults may also need vaccines to protect against whooping cough, the flu, types of pneumonia, and shingles. It is especially important to stay up-to-date on vaccines if you have diabetes. Some illnesses like the flu can make it harder to control your blood sugar. Every year thousands of adults in the US become seriously ill and are even hospitalized because of diseases that vaccines can help prevent. Unfortunately, in some serious instances, it can even lead it death.
Keeping you and your family up-to-date on vaccinations is crucial to prevent the spread of contagious, dangerous, and even deadly diseases. Vaccines are especially important for at-risk populations, such as young children and older adults. Talk with your healthcare provider about vaccinations so you can keep your family and community healthy. If you don’t have a set primary care practitioner, speak with our Concierge Care Coordinator at (518) 782-3800 to find the best provider for your needs.
Sources
https://familydoctor.org/the-importance-of-vaccinations/
https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html