- August is National Immunization Awareness Month
We all need immunizations (also called vaccines or shots) to help protect us from serious diseases. To help keep our local community safe, Cascade Memorial is proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month.
August is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots. Immunizations (or vaccinations) aren’t just for babies and young kids. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone over age 6 months needs a seasonal flu shot every year.
Young children:
- Children under age 6 get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis.
Preteens:
- All 11- and 12-year-olds need shots to help protect against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and meningitis.
- Doctors recommend girls also get the HPV vaccine to protect against the most common cause of cervical cancer.
Adults:
- All adults need a tetanus shot every 10 years.
- People age 65 need a one-time pneumonia shot.
- Talk to your doctor or nurse about which shots you and your family need.
Take action to raise awareness of immunizations:
- Organize a free or low-cost immunization clinic at a local community or health center.
- Create and distribute an immunization tracking card. Include space for people to record the names and dates of their shots along with helpful facts and phone numbers.
- Partner with a school nurse to host an immunization education event for parents at a local school.
- Create and distribute an immunization reminder flyer to all the members of your organization.
- Work with local summer camps to provide tips on the immunizations children need before they attend camp.
From the National Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Tags: clyde hill, covington, finn hill, Kirkland, Maple Valley, medina, Newcastle, Redmond, Renton, Reporter, snohomish, snoqualmie, tacoma
