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August is National Immunization Awareness Month! This awareness month is meant to highlight the importance of routine vaccinations for people of all ages.
As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, many people fell behind on getting routine medical care, including vaccinations. This highlights the “need for ongoing catch-up, recovery and system-strengthening,” says The World Health Organization (WHO).
Life can get busy, but it is important to speak to a healthcare provider about which immunizations are going to work best to prevent diseases and to get caught up on routine vaccinations.
Immunization Importance—
Why are vaccinations important? Vaccines work to reduce the risk of getting diseases by supporting the body’s immune system. Immunizations are key tools in preventing and controlling infectious disease outbreaks [WHO].
According to the CDC, “Vaccinations are critical components of routine healthcare for adults. They provide protection against severe illness, disability, and death from 15 different infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal disease, herpes zoster (shingles), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV-related cancers, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).”
Back-to-School, Children’s Vaccinations —
Back-to-school is the perfect time to get children caught up on routine vaccinations. Keeping up to date with vaccinations can prevent illness and keep children from missing school.
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The recent drop in routine immunizations has affected both children and adults. The CDC reports the national vaccination coverage among kindergartners remain at its lowest level in decades. Dropping from 95 to 93% vaccinated in just two years.
The decreased number of vaccinations in children leads to an increase of cases of preventable diseases being spread. Lack of vaccination coverage leads to higher susceptibility to illnesses and increased absences from school.
Missing classes due to illness affects more than just children’s health, it can also affect children’s learning. Staying up to date on vaccinations decreases the likelihood students, their peers, and school staff will miss school due to illness.
Assessments of the necessary vaccinations for children are available through the CDC’s Child and Adolescent Vaccine Assessment Tool. Utilizing the CDC’s assessment and having discussions with children’s pediatricians allows parents to stay up to date on their children’s routine vaccination.
National Immunization Awareness Month, Not Just for Children!
Vaccinations are just as important for adults as they are for children. Factors such as age, heath conditions, jobs and more help determine which vaccines are most important for individuals [CDC].
By staying up to date on routine vaccinations adults are able to protect themselves and others against more than 20 life-threatening diseases [WHO].
The CDC reports that most adults are, unknowingly, missing routine vaccinations. To see an updated schedule on how often you should be getting vital immunizations, please view the CDC Vaccine Schedule.
Not sure which vaccines you need?
The CDC’s Adult Vaccine Assessment Tool use 12 short questions to create a personalized list of vaccinations! Also talk with your primary care physician about which vaccinations you may need to “catch-up” on.
Don’t let cost prevent you from getting necessary vaccines
“All Health Insurance Marketplace plans and most other private insurance plans must cover certain vaccines without charging a copayment or coinsurance when provided by an in-network provider.” [CDC]
Check with your insurance to find a list of covered vaccinations and in-network providers
Or visit a free Remote Area Medical Clinic for free vaccinations. Click here to find a Remote Area Medical Clinic near you! Not all RAM Clinics offer vaccines, to learn if the clinic you’re attending will offer free vaccines, email [email protected] or call 865-579-1530.
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