August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to encourage people of all ages to make sure they are up to date on recommended vaccines.
Your need for immunization doesn’t end when you become an adult. Regardless of age, we all need immunizations to protect our health against common diseases that can be serious.
The specific vaccines you need as an adult are determined by factors such as your age, job, lifestyle, health conditions, locations of travel, and vaccines you’ve received in the past.
Vaccination is important because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of disease, especially to those that are most vulnerable to serious complications such as infants and young children, elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ to view and print the recommended immunization schedules. These schedules list the age or age range when each vaccine or series of shots is recommended. Talk to your healthcare professional about which vaccines are right for you.
Take Charge. Live Well!