Cheltsie Holbrook
cheltsie@greenepublishing.com
Back-to-school means fall is approaching, and that means cold and flu season is soon to return. This is one of many reasons that August is National Immunization Awareness Month. “National Immunization Awareness Month, sometimes referred to as immunization month, is observed throughout the month of August each year in the United States,” My Ally Health reads. “This is a time to raise awareness and educate people on the benefits that getting immunized offers. It also serves as a reminder for individuals to stay up to date on their immunizations and schedule them if they've fallen behind.”
Immunizations are common and are a standard part of many people's lives. While there are some opposed to vaccination, August is the perfect month to help educate those who are uninformed about vaccines.
Many may be wondering, what is an immunization? “Immunization is the process of your body becoming protected against a disease or illness,” My Health Ally states. “This is most commonly done by receiving a vaccine, so immunization and vaccination both refer to getting protected against an illness or disease.” There are multiple types of immunization, including injections, pills, nasal sprays and liquids. On top of that, there are different types of vaccines: inactivated vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, toxoid vaccines, viral vector vaccines, messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, subunit vaccines, recombinant vaccines, polysaccharide vaccines and conjugate vaccines. So, how do vaccines work? Each one is different. “For instance, an mRNA vaccine instructs the cells in your body to build a protein of a specific germ, while live-attenuated vaccines deliver a weakened form of the germ into your body,” said My Health Ally. “Regardless of the specific type, all vaccines immunize the body by sparking a response from your immune system. This helps your body stay protected against that specific germ and fight off any infections.”
Usually, the next question that crosses someone's mind is how effective vaccines are. According to My Ally Health, “The efficacy of immunizations depends on the specific vaccine that is used and the method of delivery. However, all vaccines that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have proven their effectiveness in protecting people from particular germs or bacteria. In order for a vaccine to be approved by the FDA, it must go through a long process that involves research and development, pre-clinical testing, clinical testing/trials and more. In order to be approved, vaccines generally need to have an efficacy rate of 50 percent or higher. For example, if a vaccine has an efficacy rate of 70 percent, then that means that individuals who receive that vaccine are at a 70 percent lower risk of developing that particular illness or disease.”
There are a lot of immunizations out there, and many may be questioning which ones are important and which ones can be avoided. There are a few key immunizations that are required for certain activities, such as attending school. Those interested in traveling to places should check to see if there are specific immunization requirements for that place. Some of the most essential immunizations include: Poliovirus, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Pertussis, Meningococcal, Human papillomavirus (HPV), Influenza and COVID-19. For more information, to update your immunizations, or check your immunization records, reach out to your local healthcare provider.