By Emily Miller
While August is designated as National Immunization Awareness Month and mainly addresses back-to-school vaccine obligations, it’s important to remember that vaccinations are not just for children but also for adults.
Each year the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) creates a month long campaign geared towards promoting the importance of immunizations. Throughout the month of August, the NPHIC designated each week of August towards a different aspect of the health campaign.
NPHIC’s 2014 immunization campaign is broken down into the following categories, which address all vital elements of proper vaccination and immunization:
· August 3 to 19: A Healthy Start
· August 10 to 16: Back to School
· August 17 to 13: Off to the Future
· August 24 to 30: Not Just for Kids
This week, Aug. 24-30, the key subject of NPHIC’s campaign is geared towards educating and informing adults that proper vaccination is just as important to them as it is for children.
Even healthy adults can become seriously ill, and can pass certain illnesses on to others. Immunizations are especially important for adults 60 years of age and older, and for those who have a chronic condition – such as asthma, COPD, diabetes or heart disease.
They are also important for anyone who is in close contact with the very young, the very old, people with weakened immune systems, and those who cannot be vaccinated.
It is advisable that all adults get an annual influenza (flu) shot as well as Td or Tdap vaccine. Every adult should get the Tdap vaccine once if they did not receive it as an adolescent and then a Td booster shot every 10 years,
In addition, women are also recommended to get the Tdap vaccine every time they are pregnant, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks.
The need for other adult vaccines – such as shingles, Pneumococcal, hepatitis, HPD – depends on one’s age, occupation, travel, health status, and other risk factors. Consult with your regular physician to discuss which vaccines are necessary for you to take.
In fact, some vaccines can help prevent certain forms of cancer. Hepatitis B can prevent liver cancer that can develop after developing chronic hepatitis B. The HPV vaccine can prevent cervical and other types of cancer caused by Human Papillomavirus.
The good new is that getting vaccinated is easier than you think. Adults can get vaccines at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, health clinics and health departments. You can find the nearest vaccine provider here.
Most health insurance plans cover the cost of recommended vaccines – call to your insurance provider can give you the details.
