We all need immunizations (also called vaccines or shots) to help protect us from serious diseases. To help keep our local community safe, The Orthopaedic Institute is proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month.
As students head back to school and flu season approaches, August is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots.
Shots can prevent infectious diseases like measles, diphtheria, and rubella. But people in the U.S. still die from these and other vaccine-preventable diseases. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them.
Everyone over age 6 months needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Other shots work best when they are given at certain ages. Here are some general guidelines:
    * Children need a series of shots from birth to age 6.
    * Pre-teens need recommended shots at age 11 or 12.
    * All adults need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years.
Talk to your doctor or nurse to find out which immunizations you need. For more information, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.