LEE COUNTY - August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NAIM) and , Lee County Health Department (LCHD) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (Iowa HHS) are calling for Iowans of all ages to protect themselves against vaccine-preventable diseases..
“The pandemic greatly impacted all aspects of life, including the ability to attend important appointments and receive routine vaccinations,” said Amy Hayes, LCHD Immunization Nurse. “During National Immunization Awareness Month, all Iowans are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider to make sure all family members are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases.”
For children, including those ages two and younger, attending regular child well-visits and receiving recommended vaccinations are essential for staying healthy and protecting against serious diseases, such as measles, pertussis (whooping cough) and chickenpox. Adolescents require additional vaccines to ensure they are protected.
LCHD will be holding two Immunization Clinics in August. The first is August 10th from 1:00pm-4:00pm at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Keokuk. The second is an extend clinic on August 17th from 9:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm at the LCHD offices in Fort Madison. Lead screenings will be available during that time as well. Appointments are appreciated and can be made by calling 319-376-4767.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among children born from 1994-2021, vaccinations will prevent an estimated 472 million illnesses, over one million deaths and 29.8 million hospitalizations (CDC, 2023).
“For adults, they should talk with their healthcare provider about immunizations, to be sure they are up to date on all vaccinations, including shingles,” said Hayes. “Certain health conditions can also increase the risk of complications from some vaccine-preventable diseases. The CDC offers an online adult vaccine assessment tool, which provides a list of recommended vaccines based on their age, health conditions and lifestyle.
Iowans can find the latest recommendations and immunization schedules on the Iowa HHS website at HHS.Iowa.gov/immtb/immunization/schedule.
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