August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a time to highlight the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout life.
During this month, we at Capital Health Plan encourage you to talk with your doctor to ensure that you and your family are protected against serious diseases that can be prevented by vaccines.
As school resumes, it’s particularly important to work with your child’s doctor to make sure they get caught up on routine checkups and recommended vaccines.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations throughout life to protect against many infections. When vaccines are skipped, you leave yourself and those you love vulnerable to illnesses such as shingles and flu. Completing the HPV and hepatitis vaccine series will protect you against these two leading causes of cancer.
Share any concerns or hesitancy you might have with your doctor. Consider these 10 reasons to get a vaccine, from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases:
- Vaccine-preventable illnesses have not gone away.
- Vaccines help keep you healthy.
- Vaccines are as important to your overall health as diet and exercise.
- Vaccines can mean the difference between life and death.
- Vaccines are safe.
- Vaccines cannot give you the diseases they are designed to prevent.
- Young and healthy people can get very sick, too.
- Vaccine-preventable diseases are costly.
- When you get sick, your children, grandchildren, and parents are at risk, too.
- Everyone deserves the chance to stay healthy.
For 2024 immunization schedules, more information, and resources, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
Sourced By: Healthwise
Reviewed By: Capital Health Plan Physicians Group
Posted: August 13, 2024