Vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect yourself and those you love from potentially harmful diseases that can be very serious, require hospitalization, or be deadly. Each August the US observes National Immunization Awareness Month to highlight the importance of routine vaccination for those of all ages.
Immunizations are not just for children. Some childhood vaccines’ protection can wear off over time. and adults may also be at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases depending on their age, job, health conditions, lifestyle, or travel habits.
Immunization recommendations by age group
Are you current on your immunizations, or do you care for someone and want to ensure they are? You are in luck! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has put together many resources to help you discover what recommendations are available for you or your loved ones.
Birth to 6 years old:
- This age group has many recommendations for immunizations. These immunizations can help your child by providing immunity early in life.
- While these recommendations may seem like a lot of vaccines, this handy chart shows how they are spread out over the first six years of a child’s life and what each vaccine protects against.
Ages 7 to 18 years old:
- The recommendations for immunizations for this age group are reduced, but regular vaccines during these ages help protect against preventable diseases.
- The CDC also offers a quiz that helps guide what vaccines are recommended for this age group.
Ages 19 years old and older:
- Do you think you are done with immunizations once you’ve hit adulthood? Nope. As we age, there are additional recommendations that can help our aging bodies stay safe from preventable diseases. Some of these can be delayed until around the magical retirement age; others are recommended yearly.
- The CDC also offers this quick quiz that adults can take to see what vaccines are recommended.
Additional considerations:
- Do you care for a child who attends K-12 school in Arizona? If so, there are certain immunizations required for enrollment within Arizona schools.
- This document, provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services, includes the required immunizations listed and a vaccine catch-up flowchart and common FAQs.
Protecting yourself from preventable diseases can be as easy as getting routine vaccines. As employees, your options to stay current on your immunizations can occur close to your home or even here on campus.
- Employee on-campus flu shot clinics
- ADOA & Healthwaves hosted statewide clinics
- Primary Care Physician or Local Pharmacy options through insurance providers.