Celebrating and Understanding National Immunization Month
It’s easy to only think of medicine and doctor appointments when you’re sick, but being proactive plays a key role in the well-being of yourself and your community. This includes getting an annual physical each year, keep tracking of your medical and family history, and staying up to date with your shots.
August is National Immunization Month, which raises awareness about why vaccines are important for people of all ages and how they can help prevent serious, sometimes deadly, diseases and illnesses.
It’s natural to have questions or concerns about vaccines, but understanding what they are and how they provide protection can help reduce some anxiety.
Vaccines have been around for quite some time – the first one having been created in 1796! Today, there are vaccines to prevent more than 20 life-threatening diseases. Although the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, immunization is the process of which a person becomes protected against a disease through a vaccination. Vaccines work by stimulating our immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens without causing the illness itself. This preparation helps our bodies respond more effectively if we’re exposed to the actual disease in the future. From childhood vaccines like those for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) to adult vaccines such as the flu shot and shingles vaccine, each one serves a specific purpose in maintaining our health.
Understanding vaccines also involves recognizing their role in preventing disease and contributing to herd immunity. Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of the population is vaccinated, reducing the overall prevalence of a disease and protecting those who are unable to get vaccinated due to medical reasons. This collective protection is essential for keeping vulnerable populations who can’t be vaccinated safe, including infants, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems.
With all medicine, what might be right for you might not be right for someone else. There are various factors that can determine the appropriate vaccines for an individual such as age, geographic region and travel plans, and health history. Consult with your doctor to understand recommendations specific for you.
As we observe National Immunization Month this August, take the opportunity to review your vaccination status, discuss any questions or concerns with your healthcare provider, and ensure you’re up to date.
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Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, March 30). How vaccines are developed and approved for use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/basics/test-approve.html#research-discovery
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, July 9). National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2024, May 30). August is National Immunization Awareness Month. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. https://www.cbp.gov/employee-resources/health-wellness/august-national-immunization-awareness-month#:~:text=August%20is%20National%20Immunization%20Awareness%20Month%20(NIAM).,sometimes%20deadly%2C%20diseases%20and%20illnesses.
World Health Organization. (2020, March 30). Vaccines and immunization: Vaccine safety. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-vaccine-safety
World Health Organization. (2020, October 19). Vaccines and immunization: Myths and misconceptions. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/vaccines-and-immunization-myths-and-misconceptions
World Health Organization. (n.d.). A Brief History of Vaccines. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/a-brief-history-of-vaccination
World Health Organization. (n.d.-b). Vaccines and immunization. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/vaccines-and-immunization#tab=tab_1
Disclaimer
We want you to be well and to live your best life. The content in this blog is provided for the purposes to educate and entertain you: our very important reader. It is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical advice from a trained healthcare professional.
If you have a medical condition or are under the care of a medical provider, please always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before undertaking a new health care regimen. To that point, never disregard medical advice or delay treatment for a medical condition because of something you read on this site.
Listen to your care providers as they know you and your condition best. Thank you for reading!
The Team at BSDI