August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and the Veterans Administration is raising awareness on how vaccines protect your health and the health of your family and community! Immunizations or vaccines are medical preparations given to individuals to help improve the body’s resistance to a particular disease. Getting vaccines will prevent outbreaks of many types of diseases and can also save lives. 

Learn more from the Veterans Health Library about types of infection and the associated vaccine at https://www.va.gov/QUALITYOFCARE/education/National_Immunization_Awareness_Month.asp

A few facts about vaccines: • Vaccines eliminated smallpox and polio in the U.S. • Vaccines are one of the safest medical interventions we have • People 6 months and older should receive a flu shot every year • People age 65 or older need a one-time shot to help prevent pneumonia • Once you get a vaccine it also protects others around you from getting that disease • All adults need a booster shot every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria • Measles and other diseases have been significantly reduced in the U.S. because of Vaccines