August is National Immunization Awareness Month. 

At New Horizons Healthcare, medical providers administer and manage their patients’ vaccinations. They also help patients understand that vaccination is a highly effective, easy way to protect them and their families from certain diseases. 

The good news is that clear recommendations for immunizations are backed by extensive research. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective at the recommended ages. 

Like all medical products, vaccines can cause side effects. The most common side effects are mild and go away quickly.

Children

On-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential, because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.

Pregnant Women

During pregnancy, the mother shares everything with her baby, including vaccination protections from some diseases during the first few months after birth. Up-to-date vaccines before and during pregnancy may help protect against such serious diseases as rubella, which can cause miscarriages and birth defects. A 2017 CDC evaluation found Tdap vaccination during the third trimester of pregnancy prevents more than 3 in 4 cases of whooping cough in babies younger than two months old. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that pregnant women get a flu shot by the end of October for the best protection. A 2018 study showed that getting a flu shot reduced a pregnant woman’s risk of being hospitalized with flu by an average of 40 percent. 

For vaccine guidelines for children and pregnant women, click here. 

Adults

Vaccines aren’t just for kids. Adults may need vaccines to protect against whooping cough, the flu, types of pneumonia and shingles. For those with diabetes, some illnesses, like flu, can make it harder to control blood sugar (glucose). 

For an overview of adult immunizations, click here.

Make sure you’re up to date on your vaccines. Ask your medical provider about the vaccines you need to be protected against serious diseases.