Health news, tips and features: Healia Health Blog

July 29th, 2008

Back to School Means Time to Update Child Immunizations

Health News posted 4 years ago by The Healia Team

Back to school, already?? As August approaches, the long days of summer vacation are over for many school-aged children – and for parents this means time to update child immunizations. August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), which is intended to increase awareness about immunizations among all ages, from infants to the elderly.

Diseases that vaccines have either been eradicated or dramatically reduced include smallpox, poliovirus, measles, diphtheria, rubella, and pertussis. However, many thousands of Americans still die from vaccine-preventable diseases every year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) features information for parents about vaccines, including the articles: The ABCs of Childhood Vaccines, How Vaccines Prevent Disease, and After the Shots: Parent Information Sheet.

For help in understanding your state’s immunization requirements, visit the National Network for Immunization Information. Here you can find the vaccines that each state requires before entry into school or day care.

Have a question about childhood vaccines? Try asking other parents or health professionals at the Healia Vaccines Community.