The Importance of Immunization Awareness

As summer winds down and you enjoy the remaining warm weather this autumn, keep immunization awareness in mind. While getting a shot may not be your most relished errand, it is going to be a whole lot more pleasant than ending up with measles, diphtheria, rubella, or any of the countless other completely preventable diseases that Americans still suffer from every year. Take time this fall to ask your doctor what immunizations you and your children should be getting to stay protected.

Back to School Protection 

As you get your kids ready for back to school, remember that you're sending them off to be exposed to tons of people (which is great) and all of the germs those people potentially carry (which is not so great). Childhood vaccinations follow a very strict schedule, so staying up to date will be fairly simple as long as you are aware of what they need. Children under six require a series of shots that give them protection against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis. Once they are in their preteens, at age 11 or 12, they will have to get shots for tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and meningitis. Pre-teens and teens should also be immunized against HPV (or human papillomavirus). Teens of age 16 need booster shots for meningitis.

Adults Need Shots Too 

If you have kids, your health may not always get enough attention, but in order to keep taking care of them, you have got to stay healthy too. Every 10 years, you should be getting a booster to protect you against tetanus and diphtheria. It can be tough to remember, because you probably don't have a school reminding you what you need in order to reenroll, but if you feel as though it has been almost ten years, you should check with your doctor to see if it is time. And, if you are 65 or older, you should have already gotten a one-time pneumonia shot.

The Importance of Preventative Care 

Those that stay the healthiest are oftentimes those that invest the most into their health before problems develop. Thanks to the developments of modern medicine, disease and illness prevention is easier than ever. The sicknesses that used to haunt the nation, like polio, small pox, and influenza, now really never need to occur, so long as we take the time to get the shots we need. With most health insurance plans, immunizations are not only offered but encouraged, as being properly immunized saves money in the long run by keeping your healthy. So, this fall, stay smart and protect yourself with the right immunizations.