August is National Immunization Month

In recognition of National Immunization Month, county officials are asking residents of all ages to make sure that their immunizations are up to date.

“This month, as residents prepare for school, college and colder months ahead, we remind them of their shared responsibility to protect themselves, their families and the community from serious life threatening diseases,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy. “While the costs of disease are great, the benefits of immunization are immeasurable.”

Suffolk County has experienced a rise in the number of cases of pertussis in recent months. Everyone who comes in contact with young infants, who are particularly vulnerable to pertussis, should receive immunization against pertussis, the county said.

The county office calls immunization "one of the most significant public health achievements of the twentieth century," adding that immunization has eradicated smallpox and poliovirus in the U.S. and has significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other diseases.

The county added that tens of thousands of people in the U.S. still succumb to these vaccine-preventable diseases.

“The goal of public health officials is to immunize people until all vaccine-preventable diseases are eradicated,” said Health Commissioner James Tomarken. “Immunizations are thoroughly tested and monitored carefully before being approved for public use.”

Dr. Tomarken outlined the CDC’s (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) immunization recommendations as follows:

Young children:

• Children from infancy to age six should receive a series of shots to protect against measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chicken pox, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, and hepatitis B.

Preteens:

• Booster shots for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and meningitis are recommended for youngsters who are age 11 or entering sixth grade in September.  Pertussis* and meningitis can be spread very easily from person to person.
• Preteen girls and boys should receive the HPV vaccine to protect against human papilloma virus, the most common cause of cervical cancer, genital warts, and/or anal cancer in both men and women.

Adults:

• All adults need to update their tetanus shot every 10 years.
• A one-time pneumonia shot is recommended for people 65 and older. Additional vaccination may be needed one time before 65 years of age for those who have diabetes, asthma, heart failure, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and those who smoke.
• Adults 60 and older should receive a shot to protect against shingles.

All ages:

• All individuals over the age of six months should receive a seasonal flu shot, which this year protects against three strains of influenza including the H1N1 influenza virus. 

Residents who do not have health insurance, or who have health insurance that does not pay for immunizations, are advised to ask their health-care providers about the Vaccines for Children program.  Funded by the CDC and New York State Department of Health, the program offers vaccines at low or no cost to eligible children. 

Additional information and vaccination schedules may be found on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines or by calling the Suffolk County Department of Health Immunization Action Hotline weekdays at 631-853-8496.

For a list of doctors in Farmingdale, check the directory.