August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Immunizations can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them. Some shots work best at specific ages or life stages. The Center for Disease Control has some information listed on their website about the different types of immunizations.
The Recommended Immunization Schedule for Children and Adolescents Aged 18 Years or Younger breaks down the recommended immunizations for each age and it gives a description of the immunization. Today’s childhood vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including polio, measles, whooping cough and chickenpox. Talk to your child’s doctor or other health care professional to make sure they are up to date on all the vaccines he or she needs. Also, you can print out a personalized schedule for your child at the Childhood Immunization Schedule.
The specific vaccines adults need is determined by factors such as age, lifestyle, risk conditions, locations of travel and previous vaccines, the Recommended Immunizations for Adults by Age has a list of vaccines for adults. Also, the Vaccine Information for Adults has specific information about where to find vaccines, reasons to vaccinate, how to pay for vaccines, and more.
Vaccines during pregnancy not only protect you against diseases, but you also pass some protection to your baby that will last through the first few months of life. Pregnancy and Vaccination looks at the vaccines that can be taken before, during, and after pregnancy. Talk to your ob-gyn or midwife about these vaccines.
The Vacunas e inmunización has information about vaccines for all ages in Spanish.
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