Immunization, or vaccination, helps prevent dangerous and sometimes deadly diseases. To stay protected against serious illnesses like the flu, measles, and pneumonia, adults need to get their shots – just like kids do.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and a great time to promote vaccines and remind family, friends, and coworkers to stay up to date on their shots.
We can all use this month to raise awareness about vaccines and share strategies to increase immunization rates with our community.
Here are just a few ideas
- Talk to friends and family members about how vaccines aren’t just for kids. People of all ages can get shots to protect them from serious diseases.
- Encourage people in your community to get the flu vaccine every year.
- Invite a doctor or nurse to speak to parents about why it’s important for all kids to get vaccinated.
Everyone age 6 months and older needs to get a flu vaccine every year. Other shots work best when they are given at certain ages.
Resources
- If you have a child age 6 or younger, check this link to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to take the find out which shots your child needs.
- Clink this link to the CDC’s Adolescent and Adult Vaccine Quiz, to find out which shots adults and teenagers need.
- Consult this chart accompanying this story to see if you and your loved ones are up to date on your shots.
National Immunization Awareness Month is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.