August is National Immunization Awareness Month
The world is waiting as patiently as possible for an event that will, we hope, return our lives to normal: the creation of a safe vaccine for COVID-19. We hope that the vaccine arrives quickly. We hope it’s easily and fairly distributed. Above all, we hope it works well to protect us from this frustrating coronavirus.
Vaccines are in the news this month, but not only because our fingers are so tightly crossed in regards to COVID. Every year in August, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) sponsors National Immunization Awareness Month.
What should our patients know about immunization (vaccines) in general? Here are some considerations:
- Vaccines keep everyone safe from serious diseases. They lower your risk of getting sick and also prevent you from passing diseases on to others.
- Adults need vaccines, too. The CDC recommends tetanus boosters for all adults every 10 years and flu shots every year. Also, they advise healthy adults 50 and over to get shingles prevention shots, and the pneumonia vaccine for anyone age 65 and up. If your health is compromised by conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or COPD, your doctor may recommend these vaccines at an earlier age.
- Vaccines are readily available at doctors’ offices, pharmacies, and community health centers.
- Insurance companies generally cover the cost of recommended vaccinations.
- Certain vaccinations are required for international travel. There’s not a whole lot of international travel available to us during the pandemic, but you may be planning for a trip in the future. Click here to find a list of required immunizations for the country you plan to visit. Then, line up the proper vaccinations ahead of time with your doctor.
At Foot & Ankle Associates of Cleveland, we care about your overall health, so don’t hesitate to ask us for advice on how, when, and where to get a vaccine. And we’re always here for the best advice on foot and ankle care for residents of Portage, Geauga, Cuyahoga, and Summit Counties. Visit us online or call our podiatry office in Solon, Ohio at (440) 903-1041 for an appointment with Dr. Craig B. Frey or Dr. Megan L. Oltmann.