Kids are now heading back to school, which means lots of great things! School supply shopping, haircuts and of course immunizations. National Immunization Awareness Month is held in August every year to showcase the importance of vaccinations for everyone. It is important to raise awareness for preventing disease in our communities in order to have healthy and happy people.
Did you know that children are required to get vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles and rubella, the chickenpox vaccination prior of starting school? Some states also require the hepatitis B vaccination and flu. Its important to be aware of what your child needs and to be up-to-date. Many of these vaccinations your child may have received as an infant. You can get these records from your pediatrician.
There are lots places you can get vaccines, including community health centers! If you are unsure of where you can get a vaccine, www.vaccines.gov has a widget that you can simply type your zip code into and find clinic near you! Using this widget, you can even narrow down which location offers what vaccines you actually need.
