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Immunization Awareness Month. By Our Student Pharmacist, Austin Cotsmire.

NIAM Graphic

During the month of August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is observed. Throughout the month, the importance of immunizations for people of all ages is highlighted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals are encouraged to reflect on their own vaccination histories and research what vaccines they may be eligible to receive.

Many individuals believe that after they receive their childhood vaccines, they are set for life. However, people of all ages can benefit from and need vaccinations.

Below is a graphic that highlights some of the many diseases that can be prevented with adulthood vaccinations. All vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective by extensive research and numerous clinical trials.

VPD Pic JPEG

  • COVID-19 – Main series (either two shots of Moderna/Pfizer or one shot of Johnson & Johnson) + Booster dose + Second Booster (for eligible patients).
  • Hepatitis B – Recommended for patients 18 and older. Two, three, or four shots depending on vaccine and/or condition.
  • TDaP – Covers tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). One dose every 10 years or during every pregnancy for females. Also, recommended for wound management in certain circumstances.
  • MMR – measles, mumps, and rubella. One shot for people born after 1957.
  • Pneumonia – various vaccines available. Schedule depends on past pneumonia vaccination history.
  • Flu – Vaccinate every year, typically in September-October. Immunizations provide about 6 months of immunity and take around two weeks to be fully effective.
  • Meningococcal disease – Recommended based on risk factors. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if you qualify!
  • HPV – Human papillomavirus. Six different types of cancer can be caused by HPV. The vaccine is recommended for anyone up to the age of 45 based on immunization history and shared clinical decision making between you and your doctor.
  • Shingrix – Protects against shingles for patients aged 50 and older. Series of two shots spaced 2-6 months apart. Recommended for everyone even if you have previously received the Zostavax vaccine.

Remember that when you are vaccinated, you are not only protecting yourself, but those around you!

By administering routine childhood and adult vaccinations, we have nearly eradicated many diseases that used to be extremely harmful and even deadly. In fact, you may have even forgotten about some of the diseases listed above. This is not a reason to forgo getting vaccinated, however. With the recent vaccine hesitancy movement, there have been outbreaks of diseases such as measles and mumps, so it is still very important to protect yourself and others!

The chart below exemplifies just how effective vaccines are based on CDC data.

Vaccine Effectiveness Chart

With flu season just around the corner, the continued threat of Coronavirus, and the recent surge of monkeypox, vaccines are as important for everyone now as ever. The CDC reports that thousands of adults get sick every year from diseases that could be prevented by vaccination. Such diseases include the flu, pneumonia, and shingles amongst many more.

As a result of COVID-19, many people struggled to schedule routine check-ups with their doctors either for themselves or their children. In 2020-2021, data shows a 14% drop in the number of vaccinations ordered by providers with an overall 20% drop in measles vaccinations. Now that offices are re-opening and appointments are becoming more readily available, it is the perfect time to catch up on any missed vaccinations.

We also offer numerous vaccines here at Plain City Druggist so feel free to stop in or call with any questions!

If you are interested in seeing which recommended vaccinations are needed for yourself or loved ones, the CDC offers a vaccine assessment tool available through this link! The tool is a brief nine question, multiple choice questionnaire that takes just minutes to complete.

Sources:

  1. Adult Immunization Schedule by Vaccine and Age Group | CDC. Published February 18, 2022. Accessed August 11, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/hcp/imz/adult.html
  1. Recognizing National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published August 4, 2022. Accessed August 11, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html
  1. National Immunization Awareness Month (2022) – District Health Department 10. Accessed August 11, 2022. https://www.dhd10.org/national-immunization-awareness-month-2022/
  1. National Immunization Awareness Month – August. National Today. Accessed August 11, 2022. https://nationaltoday.com/national-immunization-awareness-month/
  1. Schiefer A. August is National Immunization Awareness Month. AARC. Published July 12, 2022. Accessed August 11, 2022. https://www.aarc.org/nn20-august-is-national-immunization-awareness-month/
  1. The Adult Vaccine Quiz | CDC. Published September 25, 2018. Accessed August 11, 2022. https://www2.cdc.gov/nip/adultimmsched/

 

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