For over two centuries, vaccines have helped make the world safer. World Immunization Week, celebrated in the last week of April each year, aims to raise global awareness of the value of immunization and promote the life-saving power of vaccines to protect people of all ages from preventable diseases.
Vaccination is a safe, highly effective, and easy way to help keep your family healthy. Vaccines have significantly reduced diseases that once routinely harmed or killed babies, children, and adults. People still become seriously ill or even die from diseases that vaccines can help prevent. By getting vaccinated, you can protect yourself and avoid spreading preventable diseases to other people in your community.
Vaccines have saved millions of lives because of ordinary people who have made the decision to protect themselves, their families, friends, neighbors, and others by getting immunized. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can lead to dangerous complications or further illness. In that case, vaccination provides protection not only against the disease itself but also against the serious complications or consequences that it can bring.
Staying current with routine vaccinations during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood is the best way to prevent many diseases that were once common.
You can find more information about vaccination recommendations from the California Department of Public Health’s Public Health for All page or from your family doctor.
Vaccinations for Kids
When Children are not immunized, not only are they at increased risk for catching diseases, but they can also spread illness to others in their daycare centers, playgroups, classrooms, and communities. World Immunization Week is a great time to remind your family and friends of the important role of routine vaccinations for kids.
Talk to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor to find out if they are up to date with all the vaccinations recommended for their age group.
The CDPH recommends childhood vaccines to protect against diseases, including:
- Mumps
- Measles
- Rubella (MMR – mumps, measles, and rubella)
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hib – Haemophilus influenzae type b
- Hepatitis B
- PCV
- RSV
- Covid-19
- Flu
- Rotavirus
Receiving routine vaccinations is one of the safest ways to protect yourself and your family for a lifetime of health.
Adolescence – Vaccinations for Teens & Pre-teens
Vaccinating your adolescent is one thing we can do to protect their health for years to come. As children grow up, they are at increased risk for meningococcal disease and infections that can lead to HPV-related cancers. Additionally, some of their childhood vaccinations wear off over time, so preteens and teens may need booster shots to stay protected from serious diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
Parents should take their teenager to see their family doctor to make sure their teen’s vaccinations are up to date. Vaccinations and booster shots recommended for teens and pre-teens include:
HPV – The CDPH recommends that all preteens get an HPV vaccination so they are protected from Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections that can cause cancer later in life.
- 11- to 12-year-olds receive two doses of the HPV vaccine 6-12 months apart.
- Tdap – tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis booster
- COVID-19 – Vaccinations are recommended by the CDC for everyone 6 months and older.
- Influenza – The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year, ideally by the end of October
- Meningococcal disease (MenB & MenACWY)
Ages 19 to 49 – Vaccinations for Adults
Getting vaccinated is like updating your body’s immune system, the same way you might update the operating system on your phone or computer to keep it free from viruses. Vaccinations are not just for kids. For adults, getting routine vaccinations is one of the safest ways to protect their health.
Vaccines help prevent catching and spreading serious illnesses that could result in poor health, medical bills, missed work, and not being able to care for your family.
You should talk to your primary care physician to make sure you are current with all the recommended vaccinations for your age group, including flu, COVID-19, Varicella, Hepatitis, MMR, and Tdap.
Age 50 & Up – Vaccinations for Older Adults
As we grow older, we are at a higher risk of developing serious complications from illnesses like the flu.
This is especially true for those who have other underlying health conditions such as heart disease, lung conditions, or diabetes.
Talk to your doctor to learn which vaccines are recommended for you based on your age and other factors.
Vaccinations recommended for people over 50 include:
- Influenza (Flu) – every year in the fall
- RSV – for adults 75 and older and 50-74 who are at increased risk for severe RSV
- TD – for protection against tetanus (every ten years)
- Tdap – tetanus, diphtheria & pertussis (this vaccine is given instead of TD)
- Shingles – Shingrix – Given in two doses to prevent shingles and related complications.
- COVID – The California Department of Public Health continues to recommend the Covid vaccine as a way to protect against serious illness and complications from Covid-19
- PVCs or PPSV23 – to prevent Pneumococcal disease, a severe bacterial infection that can affect your lungs, blood, and brain. Pneumococcal pneumonia is contagious and can spread from person to person. For seniors, pneumonia can be serious and life-threatening, especially if you have underlying health issues such as COPD or diabetes.
World Immunization Week is a great time to talk to your doctor to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by staying up to date on your routine vaccinations.
Whether you need to catch up on your routine vaccinations, have health concerns, or it is just time for your annual visit, contact the caring professionals at River Bend Medical Associates for an appointment today. At River Bend Medical Associates, we care about your health, and as part of your medical team, we are here to provide you with the best care in all aspects of your healthcare needs. For more information on our medical practice, or to make an appointment, contact River Bend Medical Associates or call 916-392-4000.
