National Immunization Month

You have the power to protect yourself and your family against serious diseases through on-time vaccination. August is National Immunization Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life.

Here are some recommended vaccines that children, pregnant moms and every adult should be taking, and when they should be going in for their appointment.

FOR CHILDREN:

Although your children won’t physical be in the classroom this fall, it is still important to make sure vaccinations are at the top of your checklist. Because influenza viruses are constantly changing and the body’s immune response declines over time, everyone over the age of 6 months needs a flu shot every year. “We want to protect our babies from birth and build on that throughout their growing up years,” says Dr. Gabe Barrio, CBHA Pediatrician. “If all the immunizations are done at the times recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, a child is fully immunized by the time they reach school age.”

Recommended vaccines:

  • Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine: At 12 through 15 months Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
  • DTaP vaccine: At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 15 through 18 months
  • Flu vaccine: Every year by the end of October, if possible, starting at 6 months
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccine: At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months (if needed; depends on brand), and 12 through 15 months
  • Hepatitis A vaccine: At 12 through 23 months and a second dose 6 months following first dose
  • Hepatitis B vaccine: Shortly after birth, at 1 through 2 months, and at 6 through 18 months
  • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine: At 12 through15 months; however, infants 6 through 11 months old should have one dose of MMR vaccine before traveling abroad
  • Pneumococcal (PCV13) vaccine: At 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12 through 15 months
  • Polio (IPV) vaccine: At 2 months, 4 months, and 6 through 18 months
  • Rotavirus (RV) vaccine: At 2 months and 4 months (for Rotarix brand); or 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months (for RotaTeq brand)

FOR PREGNANT MOMS:

Staying up to date with vaccines before and during pregnancy, you can pass along the immunity that will help protect your baby from some diseases during the first few months after birth. Vaccines given before pregnancy may also protect you from serious disease while you are pregnant, including rubella, which can cause miscarriages and birth defects.

Recommended vaccines:

  • MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine: At least a month before becoming pregnant.
  • Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine: During the third trimester of every pregnancy.
  • Yearly seasonal flu vaccine: By the end of October, if possible.

FOR ALL ADULTS:

August is also a key time to make sure you are up to date on all the vaccines you need to stay healthy. Adults need a Td vaccine every ten years. Adults 65 years and older need one dose of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine followed by one dose of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine.

Adults may need other vaccines based on health conditions, job, lifestyle, or travel habits. “If you aren’t up to date on your vaccinations, or if you don’t know where you stand, contact your family physician and they will help you get back on track,” says Dr. Barrio

If you, your children or anyone in your family need to be updated on vaccines, call or text us today at 509-488-5258, to schedule an appointment today.