Immunization Awareness: Voices For Vaccines.org · Centers For Disease Control
Source: New Jersey Department of Health
Every year, thousands in the U.S. needlessly suffer, are hospitalized, and even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. Vaccines are recommended for adults to prevent serious diseases such as flu, shingles, pneumonia, hepatitis and whooping cough. Older adults and adults with chronic conditions are at risk for serious complications from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Both nationally and in New Jersey, adult immunization rates remain lower than childhood vaccination coverage. For example, in New Jersey, only 65 percent of residents 65 and older are vaccinated against the flu and 66 percent are vaccinated against pneumonia.
Vaccination needs vary based on age, health conditions, vaccines received as a child and other factors. Residents should speak to their healthcare provider about which vaccines they need.
Don’t forget back-to-school vaccines! National Immunization Awareness Month is also a reminder for parents to get their children vaccinated to protect against disease throughout the school year.
Child care facilities are especially vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious diseases. Children in these settings can easily spread illnesses to one another due to poor hand washing, not covering their coughs and sneezes and other factors such as interacting in crowded environments.
Information about vaccines, recommended immunization schedules for all age groups and the Vaccines for Children Program (a federally-funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children of low-income families) can be found at the CDC website.