August is National Immunization Awareness Month Published Aug. 26, 2008 By Patty McGruder Health and Wellness Center Health Education Program Manager DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Immunization (vaccination) is a way to trigger your immune system and prevent serious, life-threatening diseases. Information Our bodies are designed to protect us from diseases. When you are exposed to an illness, your immune system actually learns from the experience. The next time your body is exposed to the same illness, your immune system often recognizes the culprit and sets out to destroy it. Immunization exposes you to a very small, very safe amount of the most important diseases you are likely to encounter at some point in your life. This mild exposure helps your immune system recognize and attack the disease efficiently. If you are exposed to the full-blown disease later in life, you will either not become infected or have a much less serious infection. This is a natural way to deal with infectious diseases. Why are immunizations important? Immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Vaccines have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the U.S. and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases. But despite these efforts, today tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines offer safe and effective protection from infectious diseases. By staying up-to-date on the recommended vaccines, individuals can protect themselves, their families and friends and their communities from serious, life-threatening infections. Throughout human history, infectious diseases have caused measureless misery and death. This rampage was unchecked until the twentieth century, when immunization was introduced on a wide scale. This led to the global eradication of smallpox, the elimination of polio from the Americas, and has almost eliminated tetanus, diphtheria, mumps, and the horrible congenital rubella syndrome. Immunization has greatly reduced the occurrence of measles, pertussis, and meningitis. Millions of deaths and other tragedies have been prevented. Four different types of vaccines are currently available. · Attenuated (weakened) live virus is used in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. These vaccines last longer than other vaccines, but may cause serious infections in people with compromised immune systems. · Killed (inactivated) viruses or bacteria used in some vaccines. For example, the influenza vaccine uses killed virus. These vaccines are safe, even in people with compromised immune systems. · Toxoid vaccines contain a toxin produced by the bacterium or virus. For example, the diphtheria and tetanus vaccines are actually toxoids. · Biosynthetic vaccines contain synthetic "man-made" substances which appear to be antigens to the immune system. For example, the Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B) conjugate vaccine is a biosynthetic vaccine. IMMUNIZING CHILDREN Babies get so many shots these days! Many parents are concerned that the sheer number of vaccines might overwhelm, weaken, or use up a baby's immature immune system. But a baby's immune system is built to make antibodies to as many as 10,000 foreign proteins. If a baby were to receive all 11 available vaccines at once, this would engage only a tiny fraction of the immune system. IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE The recommended immunization schedule is updated at least every 12 months by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. Consult your primary care provider about specific immunizations for you or your child. The current recommendations are available at www.cdc.gov/nip. Ask about the next recommended immunizations at every doctor's visit to stay up-to date with your immunization. TIPS FOR PARENTS Immunizations must be given as an injection (shot). The following tips can help make the experience easier for your child: · Tell older children that the shot is needed to keep them safe and healthy. Knowing what to expect ahead of time may reassure the child. · Explain to the child that it is OK to cry, but suggest that the child try to be brave. Explain that you do not like injections either, but you try to be brave, too. Praise the child after the injection is over, whether or not he or she cries. · Distract the child at the moment of the injection. For example, point out a picture on the wall, have them count or say their "ABCs", or tell them something funny. · Try to be calm. The child will notice if you cringe before the shot! · Plan something fun to do afterward. A trip to the park, eating out or other entertainment after the shot can make the next one less scary. Benefits of Vaccines Disease prevention is the key to public health. It is always better to prevent a disease than to treat it. Vaccines prevent disease in the people who receive them and protect those who come into contact with an unvaccinated individual. In the United States, Federal and State public health programs help assure that children receive vaccines. But vaccines are not just for young children. Adolescents and adults should keep up-to-date on certain immunizations. Unvaccinated adults who did not have certain childhood diseases should consider being immunized. And, people who travel overseas may receive vaccines depending on their destinations. Who should be immunized? Getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting community effort regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background or country of origin. Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and continue throughout life. Being aware of the vaccines that are recommended for infants, children, adolescents, adults of all ages and seniors, and making sure that we receive these immunizations, are critical to protecting ourselves and our communities from disease. No appointment is necessary for regularly scheduled immunizations here at Dyess AFB, and the Immunizations clinic is located on the 2nd floor in the clinic. For more information please contact the Immunization Clinic at 696-1788.