Bowling Green, Ohio – To celebrate the importance of immunizations for a healthy start and throughout our lives the Wood County Health District is joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month.
Immunization gives parents the safe, proven power to protect their children from 14 serious and potentially deadly diseases before they turn 2 years old. Preteens and teens need Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) vaccine, quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine, and HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine when they are 11 to 12. In addition, yearly flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months or older—not just preteens and teens, but for their parents too.
Vaccines are not just for kids – adults need vaccines, too. This is the perfect opportunity to make sure adults are protected against diseases like flu, whooping cough, tetanus, shingles and pneumococcal disease. The specific vaccines adults need are determined by factors such as age, lifestyle, risk conditions, locations of travel, and previous vaccines. All adults should talk to their health care providers about which vaccines are right for them.
“There is a misconception among many adults that vaccines are just for children,” said Kathy Teeple, immunization nurse. “The truth is, you never outgrow the need for immunizations.”
When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk and can spread diseases to others in their family and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer and other health conditions.
“Children who don’t receive recommended vaccines are at risk of getting the disease or illness, and of having a severe case,” said Teeple. “Every dose of every vaccine is important to protect your child and others in the community from infectious diseases. Talk to your doctor or other health care professional to make sure your child is up to date on all the vaccines he or she needs.”
Parents can find out more about the recommended immunization schedule at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents or www.woodcountyhealth.org or call 419-354-9049.