August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month to promote the importance of immunizations at all life stages. Vaccination protects against severe illnesses and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases. Such illnesses include measles, polio, hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis—and now, COVID-19.
Vaccinations are so vital that the CDC offers immunization schedules to help you understand if you or other loved ones are up to date on vaccinations:
- Infants and children (birth to age 6)
- Preteens and teens (ages 7 to 18)
- Adults (ages 19 and older)
- Pregnant women (before, during and after pregnancy)
Talk to your doctor for more information on vaccines or to learn more about which ones you may need.