August is Immunization Month
Vaccination is the act of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease. Immunization is a process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination.
Schools are returning to in person learning and the COVID-19 pandemic is still going on. And now we have the COVID Delta Variant increasing. With all other immunizations that are recommended for children the CDC recommends children 12 year and above to get the COVID -19 vaccine. By getting the COVID-19 vaccine it can help keep your child from getting seriously sick even if they get COVID-19 as well as help protect your whole family.
Immunizations are important for adults as well as children.They may hurt a little, but the disease they prevent can be a lot worse. They protect against diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, polio, tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).
Immunization is the process through which a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body’s own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. Before vaccines people became immune by getting the disease and surviving it, and then the immune system remembers the germ and can fight it again. Immunizations make this process easier and less risky way to become immune.
Immunization schedule may vary from location, your child’s health, type of vaccine and the vaccines availability. Some vaccines may be given as part of a combination so that fewer shots are given. Talk with your doctor about which vaccines you and your kids need. For a complete recommended schedule of dates for immunizations go to: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/index.html.
Written by LaVella Head