{"id":1768,"date":"2017-08-14T12:00:34","date_gmt":"2017-08-14T19:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warnerfamilypractice.net\/?p=1768"},"modified":"2017-08-15T12:30:46","modified_gmt":"2017-08-15T19:30:46","slug":"immunizations-arent-just-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warnerfamilypractice.net\/immunizations-arent-just-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Immunizations Aren\u2019t Just For Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Immunizations represent one of the greatest public health accomplishments of the 20th century.<\/p>\n

Immunization shots may hurt a little, but the diseases they prevent are a lot worse, even life-threatening. Shots, or vaccinations, are essential. They protect against things like measles, hepatitis B, polio and tetanus. Immunizations are important for adults as well as children.<\/p>\n

Your immune system helps your body fight germs by producing substances to combat them. Once it does, the immune system “remembers” the germ and can fight it again. Vaccines contain germs that have been killed or weakened. When given to a healthy person, the vaccine triggers the immune system to respond and thus build immunity.<\/p>\n

Vaccination is important because it protects the person receiving the vaccine and helps prevent the spread of disease, especially to those who are most vulnerable to serious complications (such as infants and young children, the elderly, and those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems).<\/p>\n

Before vaccines, people became immune only by actually getting a disease and surviving it. Immunizations are an easier and less risky way to become immune.<\/p>\n

Vaccines Protect Your Child\u2019s Health<\/h3>\n

In the first three months of your child\u2019s life, they should receive seven immunizations! Though the shots may hurt a little, remember that you are setting your new baby up to be healthy throughout his or her life. By the time your child is seven years old, they will have received more than 30 vaccinations. And it doesn\u2019t stop there.<\/p>\n

Even kids who are going off to college need shots. Most colleges require them to have at least three vaccines, and they may need some boosters. Meningococcal conjugate vaccine protects against bacterial meningitis. Tdap protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough. HPV vaccination protects against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Most colleges require measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, which is chicken pox (or proof of having had the disease), hepatitis B and a tetanus booster, which is necessary only if it’s been ten years since your last shot. Be sure to check with the school to make sure your child has met the necessary immunization requirements.<\/p>\n

Because there are so many vaccinations to keep track of, it\u2019s a good idea to use a card designed for just this purpose (a spreadsheet isn\u2019t necessary). You can request an immunization tracking card from your child’s doctor at Warner Family Practice. Bring the card with you to all of your child’s doctor visits. Ask your child’s doctor or nurse to record the vaccine given, date and dosage on the card. This is like your \u201cpermanent\u201d record, remember to give it to your child when they go off to college so they can continue to keep track of their immunizations.<\/p>\n

Yes, Adults Need Immunizations<\/h3>\n

You’re not a kid anymore, so you don’t have to worry about shots, right? Wrong. Vaccines for adults are recommended based on your age, prior vaccinations, health, lifestyle, occupation and travel destinations. Several factors can affect whether you need certain vaccines.<\/p>\n