August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Here are some simple guidelines for immunizations to follow.
People in all stages of life need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone age 6 months and older needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Here are some other shots people need at different ages:
Young children:
• Children under age 6 get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis.
Pre-teens and teens:
• Pre-teens need shots at age 11 or 12 to help protect them from tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, meningitis, and HPV (human papillomavirus).
• Teens need a booster shot at age 16 to help protect them from meningitis.
Adults:
• All adults need a booster shot every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria.
• People age 65 or older need a one-time pneumonia shot.
It’s important to talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about which shots you and your family need. They can help you keep a record of your shots and inform you of interactions.
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