August Is National Immunization Awareness Month

Are your kids ready to head back to school on Sept. 4?

National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots, says the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Immunizations (or vaccinations) aren’t just for babies and young kids. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone over age 6 months needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Here are some other shots people need at different ages:

Young children:

• Children under age 6 get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis.

Preteens:

• All 11- and 12 year olds need shots to help protect against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and meningitis. The Tdap requirement for N-MUSD students can be found on the district's website.
• Doctors recommend girls also get the HPV vaccine to protect against the most common cause of cervical cancer.

Adults:

• All adults need a tetanus shot every 10 years.
• People age 65 need a one-time pneumonia shot.
• Talk to your doctor or nurse about which shots you and your family need.

Source: USA.gov