August is National Immunization Awareness Month
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our lives in many ways. But one thing the pandemic has
Not changed, is the need for immunizations against vaccine-preventable diseases like hepatitis,
Whooping cough, HPV and the flu. Everybody, young, old and in between, needs vaccinations to
keep them healthy.
Since the pandemic is constantly in the news and coming up in everyday conversation, it’s easy to
Get distracted and forget about vaccine-preventable diseases and how they can threaten our health.
August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), a celebration of the importance of vaccination.
The County’s Health and Human Services Agency urges everyone to make sure they have the shots they need.
With social distancing and other pandemic-related restrictions, people may be hesitant to visit their healthcare provider. However, local providers have put in place measures to help keep patients safe and healthy during office visits.
“Call your doctor or other healthcare provider to ask about appointment options,” said Wilma Wooten, MD, Public Health Officer. “They’ll work with you to provide a safe way you and your family can get the care you all need, including immunizations.”
- Babies need shots at birth, 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months to protect against diseases like measles and whooping cough.
- Older kids also need vaccine protection from diseases—especially before they start school. In fact, some shots, like those that protect against whooping cough and chickenpox are required before school entry.
- Adults need shots, too—they aren’t automatically immune to diseases like meningococcal
disease or pneumonia. Pregnant women should get a Tdap vaccine in the 3rd trimester of every
pregnancy, to help protect their babies from pertussis.
- Older adults need shots to protect against shingles and pneumococcal pneumonia.
- And everyone age 6 months and older needs a seasonal flu shot every year.
Talk to your health care provider to make sure that everyone in the family gets the shots they need. For more information about immunizations and the diseases they protect against, visit the San Diego Immunization Unit’s website at www.sdiz.org and the other websites listed below:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Vaccines and Immunizations Page
ShotByShot.org – Stories of vaccine-preventable diseases
Vaccinate Your Baby
California Department of Public Health Shots for School Page
California Department of Public Health Immunization Branch Main Page
www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/immunize/Pages/default.aspx