August is National Immunization Awareness Month

(BPT) – National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), held each year in August, is a great time to review your family's vaccination records. NIAM was established to encourage people of all ages to make sure they are up to date on the vaccines recommended for them and their family members.

Vaccination is considered to be one of the greatest public health achievements of the last two centuries. Over time, successful vaccination campaigns have contributed to the elimination (or near-elimination) of some diseases in the U.S.

Eating well, staying active and getting enough sleep are all great ways to help live a healthy lifestyle. But keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is an important part of doing everything you can to help protect your family's health.

August is an ideal point in the year to consider seasonal health check-ups, to address the upcoming flu season and back-to-school time.

Flu season occurs in the winter, but flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and can last as late as May.

Today, vaccines can help to protect against 14 diseases before age 2, but it is also important to know that vaccines are not just recommended for infants. There are vaccines recommended for school-age children, from preschoolers to college students. Making sure that children receive all their vaccinations on time is one of the most important things you can do as a parent to help protect your children.

In the U.S., most young children receive many of the recommended vaccines, but there is room to improve vaccination rates among all groups, including adolescents and adults.

It's important to help make sure that everyone in your family gets their recommended shots at the recommended time.

MORE INFORMATION:

To learn more, talk to your health-care provider about vaccines that may be recommended for you and your family, and visit www.vaccinesandyou.com.