National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots.
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 age 6 months and older 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.
Pre-teens and teens:
- Pre-teens need shots at age 11 or 12 to help protect them from tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, meningitis, and HPV (human papillomavirus).
- Teens need a booster shot at age 16 to help protect them from meningitis.
Adults:
- All adults need a booster shot every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria.
- People age 65 or older need a one-time pneumonia shot.
- Talk to your doctor or nurse about which shots you and your family need.
Get Involved
Take action to raise awareness about immunizations.
- Organize a free or low-cost immunization clinic at a local community or health center.
- Create and distribute an immunization tracking card. Include space for people to record the names and dates of their shots along with helpful facts and phone numbers.
- Partner with a school nurse to host an immunization education event for parents at a local school.
- Create and distribute an immunization reminder flyer to all the members of your organization.
- Work with local summer camps to provide tips on the immunizations children need before they attend camp.
Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdcinfo@cdc.govfor more information and materials.
