Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder

 that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

You want to do what is best for your children. You know about the importance of car seats, baby gates and other ways to keep them safe. But, did you know that one of the best ways to protect your children is to make sure they have all of their vaccinations? 

Immunizations can save your child’s life. Because of advances in medical science, your child can be protected against more diseases than ever before. Some diseases that once injured or killed thousands of children, have been eliminated completely and others are close to extinction – primarily due to safe and effective vaccines. One example of the great impact that vaccines can have is the elimination of polio in the United States. Polio was once America’s most-feared disease, causing death and paralysis across the country, but today, thanks to vaccination, there are no reports of polio in the United States.

Vaccination is very safe and effective. Vaccines are only given to children after a long and careful review by scientists, doctors, and healthcare professionals. Vaccines will involve some discomfort and may cause pain, redness, or tenderness at the site of injection but this is minimal compared to the pain, discomfort, and trauma of the diseases these vaccines prevent. Serious side effects following vaccination, such as severe allergic reaction, are very rare. The disease-prevention benefits of getting vaccines are much greater than the possible side effects for almost all children.

Immunization protects others you care about. Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. In fact, we have seen resurgences of measles and whooping cough (pertussis) over the past few years. In 2010 the U.S. had over 21,000 cases of whooping cough reported and 26 deaths, most in children younger than 6 months. Unfortunately, some babies are too young to be completely vaccinated and some people may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family, but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your friends and loved ones.

Immunizations can save your family time and money. A child with a vaccine-preventable disease can be denied attendance at schools or daycare facilities. Some vaccine-preventable diseases can result in prolonged disabilities and can take a financial toll because of lost time at work, medical bills or long-term disability care. In contrast, getting vaccinated against these diseases is a good investment and usually covered by insurance. The Vaccines for Children program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children from low-income families.

To find out more about the VFC program, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/vfc/ or ask your child’s health care professional.

Immunization protects future generations. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that killed or severely disabled people just a few generations ago. For example, smallpox vaccination eradicated that disease worldwide. Your children don’t have to get smallpox shots any more because the disease no longer exists. By vaccinating children against rubella (German measles), the risk that pregnant women will pass this virus on to their fetus or newborn has been dramatically decreased, and birth defects associated with that virus no longer are seen in the United States. If we continue vaccinating now, and vaccinating completely, parents in the future may be able to trust that some diseases of today will no longer be around to harm their children in the future.

For more information about the importance of infant immunization, visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

ADULTS: IMMUNIZATIONS ARE NOT JUST FOR KIDS

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

That’s right. The need for immunizations doesn’t end with childhood. Each year, thousands of adults in the United States suffer serious health problems, are hospitalized, or even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines, including influenza, whooping cough, certain bacterial infections, hepatitis A and B, shingles, and even some cancers such as cervical cancer and liver cancer. Talk to your doctor today to find out which vaccines are recommended for you.

           

Most people don’t realize that adults need immunizations, too. While many recognize that a flu vaccine is recommended every year, few adults are aware of the need for other vaccines to help protect their health.

Protection from some childhood immunizations wears off over time, leaving you vulnerable to disease. For example, there has been a rise in cases of whooping cough in the last few years with over 41,000 cases being reported in 2012. We have learned that the protection from DTaP whooping cough vaccine given to children doesn’t last into adulthood, so all adults are now recommended to get one dose of Tdap whooping cough vaccine.

Adults may be recommended for certain vaccines due to their age, job, hobbies, travel, or health condition. Other vaccines may be recommended if they didn’t get certain vaccines as children. 

Check your immunization records to be sure you got the HPV vaccine, Measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, and varicella “chicken pox” vaccines.

Some adults, including older adults and those that have chronic health conditions, may be at higher risk for serious complications from some vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, because older age increases the chance of getting shingles, CDC recommends that adults get the shingles vaccine once they turn 60 years old.

People with diabetes, heart disease, and COPD or asthma, even if well managed, are more likely than those without these conditions to have complications from the flu. To prevent possible complications like pneumonia, people with these chronic conditions should get a pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in addition to a yearly flu vaccine.

But those aren’t the only reasons to stay up-to-date on vaccinations. 

Adult immunization is necessary because it not only protects the person receiving the vaccine, but also helps prevent the spread of certain diseases to loved ones and those in the community who are most vulnerable to disease (like those with weakened immune systems and infants).

They don’t have a choice, but you do.

Vaccines are available at private doctor’s offices, as well as other convenient locations such as pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, and health departments. To find an immunization provider near you, go to http://vaccine.healthmap.org.

Getting vaccinated is an important step we can take to protect ourselves and loved ones from vaccine-preventable diseases. Yet too many adults—perhaps even you—are not up to date. Talk with your doctor to find out which vaccines are right for you.

For more information on vaccines or to take an adult vaccine quiz to find out which vaccines you might need, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/index.html.

Pre-teens and Teens Need HPV Vaccine Now to Prevent HPV-related Cancers Later

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder

 that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

HPV vaccination is recommended for pre-teen girls and boys at age 11 or 12 years. If your son or daughter hasn’t started or finished the HPV vaccine series yet – it’s not too late! Now is a good time to ask their doctor or nurse about vaccines for your pre-teens and teens.

HPV is short for human papillomavirus. In the U.S. each year, there are about 18,000 women and 7,000 men affected by HPV-related cancers. In both women and men, HPV can cause anal cancer and mouth/throat (oropharyngeal) cancer. It can also cause cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina in women, and cancer of the penis in men. The HPV infections that cause these cancers could be prevented with vaccination.

The HPV vaccine has a very good safety record. More than 46 million doses have been distributed and vaccine safety studies continue to show that HPV vaccines are safe.

Jacquelyn, a real-life mother of two and cervical cancer survivor, shares her story:

When I got a Pap test after my son was born, I found out I had cancer and needed a total hysterectomy.

My husband and I have been together for 15 years, and we were planning to have more children. We are so grateful for our two wonderful children, but we were hoping for more – which is not going to happen now.

Although they caught the cancer early, I still have medical issues taking time away from my family, my friends and my job.

Worse, every time the doctor calls, I hold my breath until I get the results. Cancer is always in the back of my mind.

I will protect my son and daughter by getting them both the HPV vaccine as soon as they turn 11. I tell everyone to get the HPV vaccine series to protect them from this kind of cancer.

For more information about the HPV vaccine and the other vaccines recommended for pre-teens call the Monongalia County Health Department at 304-598-5119 or visit:

www.cdc.gov/vaccines/who/teens/for-parents.html

Do you have a pre-teen or teen? Protect them against serious diseases!

Leaving their phone at a friend’s house, suddenly needing a ride somewhere … you knew there would be days like this. But did you know that you’d also need to take your pre-teens and teens to get shots?

As they get older, kids are at increased risk for some infections. Plus the protection provided by some of the childhood vaccines begins to wear off, so kids need a booster dose. You may have heard about pertussis (whooping cough) outbreaks recently. Vaccine-preventable diseases are still real. The vaccines for pre-teens and teens can help protect your kids, as well as their friends, community and other family members.

There are four recommended vaccines that pre-teens should get when they are 11 or 12 years old. If you have an older kid like a teen, they’ll need a booster dose of one of the shots. Plus it’s not too late to get any shots they may have missed. You can use any healthcare visit, including sports physicals or some sick visits, to get the shots your kids need. The vaccines for pre-teens and teens are:

·         HPV vaccine for both boys and girls, which protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cancer. HPV can cause cancers of the cervix, vulva and vagina in women and cancers of the penis in men. In both women and men, HPV also causes mouth/throat cancer, anal cancer and genital warts.

·         Tdap vaccine, which is a booster against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Pertussis, or whooping cough, can keep kids out of school and activities for weeks. It can also be spread to babies, which can be very dangerous and sometimes deadly.

·         Meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningococcal disease. Meningococcal disease is caused by bacteria and is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis – a serious infection around the brain and spinal cord.

·         Influenza (flu) vaccine, because even healthy kids can get the flu, and it can be serious. All kids, including your pre-teens and teens, should get the flu vaccine every year.

Talk with a doctor, nurse, or clinic about the vaccines for pre-teens and teens. Even though they may not realize it, your kids still need you for more than a ride somewhere. They need you to continue protecting their health by getting them these important and life-saving vaccines.

Want to learn more about the vaccines for pre-teens and teens? Check out www.cdc.gov/vaccines/teens or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

MCHD WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN (WIC) PROGRAM IS CELEBRATING WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK WITH A SPECIAL EVENT

The Monongalia County Health Department (MCHD) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 - 8 ).  This year’s theme is “BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT: CLOSE TO MOTHERS” and highlights the importance of breastfeeding counselors. Even when mothers are able to get off to a good start, all too often in the weeks or months after delivery there is a sharp decline in breastfeeding practices. This is when mothers do not visit a healthcare facility and a community support system for mothers is essential. By employing breastfeeding counselors who work directly with WIC mothers, the MCHD WIC program provides the needed support system.

Not only moms, but the entire community needs to be aware of the importance of breastfeeding during the first year of life.   Many medical authorities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly recommend breastfeeding because breast milk provides several benefits for infants: breast milk contains antibodies that can help the baby fight off viral and bacterial infections, contributes to proper weight gain and has been linked to higher IQ scores in later childhood. There are also benefits for a mother who is breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mothers have a lower risk of breast and ovarian cancer and tend to lose the weight gained during pregnancy faster because of the calories burned when they breastfeed.

The MCHD WIC Program encourages breastfeeding mothers, expecting mothers and others to come out to enjoy, learn and share as we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week in our community with a “Breastfeeding Awareness Walk” in Monongalia County (details follow).

The Monongalia County WIC Office will be honoring and supporting breastfeeding families with a “Breastfeeding Awareness Walk” on Thursday August 8^th at 7:00 p.m.  The Walk begins at the top of High Street in downtown Morgantown.  Breastfeeding moms, babies, their families and all who wish to join in the celebration are welcome.  Walkers will meet at the intersection of High and Wiley Streets, in front of the Wesley United Methodist Church, at 7:00 p.m. The group will walk along the right sidewalk to the Courthouse Square where everyone will enjoy light refreshments, small gifts, drawings, and each other’s company.  The Morgantown Police Department will assist with street crossings. This is the 5^th year for this event!  The Walk is co-sponsored by the MCHD WIC Program and the Ruby Memorial Breastfeeding Task Force.  For more information call the Monongalia County WIC Office at 304-598-5181.

Join us in a World Breastfeeding Week Celebration and show your support for a stronger, healthier community through breastfeeding!