BENTON — The return to school is fast approaching and it's time for school-age children to get immunized. Eydie Abercrombie, administrator for Saline County local health unit of the Arkansas Department of Health, reminds residents to remember that adults need vaccinations, too.[more]
“Don’t forget to ask your doctor if you need to bring your shots up-to-date,” Abercrombie said. “August is the perfect time to remind your entire family and your friends to check up on their vaccinations. It is a very important part of protecting your family and your community from communicable disease.”
August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated polio virus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, people still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases.
Two of the most important vaccines to check are Tdap and MMR. All adults should have the vaccine for Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)–currently only one dose is recommended. Some adults also need to get the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). All adults who have not had measles, mumps or rubella are at risk of infection and should be vaccinated.
The viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases are still around, and can still cause illness in those who aren’t protected by vaccine. It is important to remember that illness caused by vaccine-preventable disease results in medical bills and lost time at work, but adults are often affected more adversely than children are when they contract these diseases.
Those who are unsure whether or not vaccinations are up-to-date, talk to a family doctor or visit the COUNTY Health Unit at 1612 Edison Ave, Benton, 501-303-5650, or a complete schedule of adult vaccines visit: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm
