August is National Immunization Awareness Month.
Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder of the important role vaccines play in keeping individuals, families, and communities healthy.
Vaccines are essential in preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. This is especially important for the vulnerable population, including infants, immuno-compromised, and the elderly. This can help reduce hospitalizations and serious complications.
Herd immunity is the indirect protection from an infectious disease that occurs when a large percentage of the population becomes immune through vaccination or previous infection. This makes it more difficult for the disease to spread from person to person.
When enough people are immune, infected individuals are less likely to encounter susceptible people and disease transmission slows down or stops. Vaccines play a crucial role in preserving public health.
One example of a highly contagious serious disease that can be prevented by vaccines is measles. Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to others.
Measles saw a dramatic decline in cases after the introduction of the measles vaccine in the 1960s. In areas with high vaccination rates, outbreaks are rare. However, the disease has resurged in recent years in communities where vaccination coverage has declined, underscoring the importance of sustained vaccine uptake to maintain herd immunity.
This may be in relation to that there are still many myths about vaccines, including the belief that children could get autism or that they contain ingredients that are harmful.
At Greater Family Health, every exam room has the recommended vaccination schedule posted along with common myths and the facts about the vaccines.
Before any vaccine is administered, patients receive a vaccine information sheet with details about each vaccine. Providers also meet with patients before ordering vaccines to answer any questions they may have.
Vaccines help save lives and help keep the community safe and healthy.
