AUGUST IS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH

order to raise awareness of the importance of immunizations in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases, the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County (DOH-Santa Rosa) will observe August 2014 as National Immunization Awareness Month. Immunization is one of the easiest and safest ways to prevent diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough).

If you are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, talk to your healthcare provider about updating your shots. He or she will make recommendations based on factors such as your age, lifestyle, and general medical condition. Some vaccines, such as MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) should be given a month or more before you become pregnant. Others like the flu vaccine can be given during pregnancy. Women can also be vaccinated right after giving birth, even if breastfeeding.

Mothers who have been vaccinated pass their immunity to their babies prior to birth. This immunity lasts for a few months then begins to wane. Most infants begin receiving immunizations at the age of two months and can be fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases by age two. Many pediatricians provide immunizations with the child’s regular check-ups. They are also available at the county health department. Other adults and children who have close contact with the baby should also be vaccinated to reduce the risk of passing diseases to the baby before it is fully immunized.

For more information on immunization and pregnancy, visit the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/adults/rec-vac/pregnant.html.

For information on immunizations available at the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, call (850) 983-5200.