August is National Immunization Awareness Month, an annual observance dedicated to the importance of vaccinations for all ages. For employers, this is a great time to raise awareness about which vaccines adults need, reasons to vaccinate, and how to find vaccination sites with ease.
Since the COVID vaccine rollout, there has been much interest in vaccines, how they work, why we need them, etc.
National Immunization Awareness Month is a great opportunity to dispel COVID vaccine myths and update workers on other shots they may need beyond the COVID shot.
The medical world considers vaccines as one of the most effective ways to prevent infectious diseases. While childhood vaccines are the most commonly thought of, adults actually need vaccines, too, because vaccinations protect individuals, their families, and their communities.
Reasons to vaccinate include:
Even if you received vaccines as a child, you’ll still need to update them periodically throughout your life. Immunity from childhood vaccines is known to wear off over time. Plus, as an adult, you may be at risk for different diseases, especially if you travel frequently overseas.
All adults need the following vaccines:
Always discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider prior to receiving a vaccination. This is important if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccine or if you have certain health conditions like Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
Before ever hitting the market, vaccines are required to go through years of testing before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves them for use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FDA continue to track safety and reaction numbers on all licensed vaccines.
Some vaccines may cause a mild reaction in individuals. The most common ones include redness, soreness, or swelling at the site of injection.
Related: How to Avoid a Sore Arm After Your Workplace Flu Shot
For most individuals, you can get recommended vaccines at your doctor’s office during your well visits. You’ll also find you can get vaccines at health departments, federally-funded health centers, travel clinics, and local pharmacies, too.
Need to get vaccinated? Find the closest vaccination site to you here.
Prior to getting a new vaccine, ask your healthcare provider to look up your information in the state’s health department system. This will indicate when and where you got your shots last if you didn’t transfer your records to your new physician’s office.
If you got married since the last time you received a vaccination, be sure to have a medical professional search under your maiden name, too. If you have moved from out of state, you may need to contact your previous state’s health department or previous physician’s office to send along updated vaccination records.
It’s easy to get caught up in false information that spreads on the web when it comes to vaccines and the vaccination process. When researching vaccines, it’s important to check out information from accurate sources.
You can:
The more well-informed you are, the better you can make a decision for yourself and your family when it comes to vaccinations.
National Immunization Awareness Month is a pretty big deal this year. Given that the world was shocked by a global pandemic, immunization is being seen as more than a buzzword and more as a necessity to end the COVID virus.
As an employer, you can promote and observe National Immunization Awareness Month in various ways to drive the point home.
How to promote it:
How will your company recognize National Immunization Awareness Month? Share in the comments below!