As we near back-to-school season, we’re also marking National Immunization Awareness Month. Vaccinations are the single best way to protect you and your children from serious illness. Unfortunately, not enough people are getting vaccinated and diseases are spreading.
From September 2018 to July 2019, there were 642 confirmed cases of measles in New York City. Due to the lack of vaccinations in the area, this extremely serious disease was able to spread across Queens and Brooklyn. As a result, the Board of Health came to an agreement to adopt a resolution to support mandatory vaccinations.
This was a step in the right direction, and we need to keep educating our communities about how essential vaccinations are to help us all stay healthy.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, The Latinx community is significantly less likely to receive vaccines for most diseases than the average person. Below is a list of resources you can use to make sure you have been and continue to be fully vaccinated:
- CDC Adult Immunization Schedule: This Center for Disease Control (CDC) guide provides a schedule for adults 19 years and older to receive vaccinations. It provides schedules by age and by medical condition, so you can be sure that you are receiving the correct immunizations at the correct time.
- CDC Child Immunization Schedule: Similar to the guide above, this CDC guide provides a schedule for children below the age of 19 to receive vaccinations. The guide also provides schedules by age and by medical condition.
- Org Vaccine Myths vs. Facts: PublicHealth.Org has put together a list of common myths involving vaccines, and research that debunks each of them. Consult this list if you have any questions regarding the safety of vaccines, as it may have the answer!
- Consult your local doctor: Your primary care physician will have all of the answers regarding your vaccine schedule and history. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to your physician!
Utilize these resources if you have any questions about immunizations for you or your family – especially as our children prepare to head back to school this fall. If everyone educates themselves and receives all of the proper vaccinations, we can successfully eradicate many deadly diseases and stay healthy and happy together.