We all need vaccines to help protect us from serious diseases. August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), and the San Diego Immunization Coalition urges everyone to make sure they have the shots they need. The purpose of NIAM is to celebrate the benefits of vaccination and highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. NIAM highlights several different themes related to the overall purpose of the observance:

• Throughout August:  Ready for school? Check those vaccine records. (School-Aged Children)
• August 1-7: Vaccines are not just for kids. (Adults)
• August 8-14: Protect yourself and pass protection on to your baby. (Pregnant Women)
• August 15-21: A healthy start begins with on-time vaccination. (Babies and Young Children)
• August 22-28: Ensure a healthy future with vaccines. (Preteens and Teens)

Throughout August, the San Diego Immunization Program website (www.sdiz.org) will feature information and resources to help celebrate National Immunization Awareness Month. Resources include social media messages, e-mail signature lines, web banners, logos and more. You can use these resources to spread the word about the importance of immunizations to your friends, family, co-workers and others in your community.

Vaccines can prevent serious diseases like measles, flu, and whooping cough. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them. Immunization is a part of the Building Better Health component of Live Well San Diego, a regional vision to improve the health, safety and well-being of local residents.

Babies need shots at 2, 4, 6, and 12-18 months to protect against diseases like measles and whooping cough. Older kids also need vaccine protection from diseases—especially before they start school. And some shots are required before school entry.

Adults need shots, too—they aren’t automatically immune to diseases like meningococcal disease or pneumonia. Pregnant women should get a Tdap vaccine in the 3^rd trimester of every pregnancy, to help protect their babies from pertussis. And everyone age 6 months and older needs a seasonal flu shot every year.

Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in the family gets the shots they need. For more information about immunizations and the diseases they protect against, visit the San Diego Immunization Program’s website at www.sdiz.org.  

The San Diego Immunization Coalition (SDIC) has been active since 1992, making it one of the oldest continuously operating immunization coalitions in the nation. To learn more about the Coalition, visit http://www.sdizcoalition.org/