As we celebrate National Immunization Awareness Month, it’s imperative to reflect on the importance of vaccines in protecting ourselves, our loved ones, and the community as a whole. Immunizations have been one of the most significant public health achievements, saving millions of lives worldwide. With the back-to-school season approaching, childhood immunizations should be at the forefront of every parent’s mind.
Ensuring your children are up-to-date on their vaccinations not only protects them but also helps safeguard their classmates, school staff, and the entire island of Guam. From measles and mumps, to polio and whooping cough, these vaccines shield our children from serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. But it’s not just children that need vaccines.
Adults should be getting vaccinated, too. In this article, I’ll run through a list of some of the more common and recommended vaccines, their indication, and eligibility. Let’s start off with meningitis.
It’s a devastating infection that causes inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Complications can include permanent brain damage, seizures, stroke, and paralysis. Thankfully, vaccines are available to prevent several types of bacterial meningitis.
These are particularly important for adolescents and young adults, especially those living in close quarters like college dorms. For older adults, the shingles vaccine is a game-changer. Shingles, caused by the reacti.