National Adult Immunization Awareness Week 2008

A News & Events entry posted on September 22, 2008

Immunizations are NOT just for kids! Whether a young adult, middle-aged adult, or senior citizen, we ALL need immunizations to keep us healthy. Transitioning to adulthood brings us into a new world, bringing a different level of responsibility that we carry for life, including the need to help protect our loved ones more than ever.

September 21-27 is National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW) 2008. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) spearheads this annual observance to coordinate awareness-raising activities that focus on adult and adolescent immunization. This year marks the 18th consecutive observance of NAIAW, and provides an excellent opportunity for individuals and organizations to promote the importance of adult and adolescent immunization.

The specific immunizations you need as an adult are determined by factors such as your age, lifestyle, high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous immunizations. The most recent addition to the schedule is the shingles vaccine for those 60 years and older.

Your need for immunizations does not end when you reach adulthood. In fact, the need for immunization remains just as strong as when we were vulnerable children. As adults, we must continue to maintain our own health because we are also affecting the health of our families by teaching them how to care for themselves.

Accept responsibility by encouraging other adults in your family to check with their doctors for immunizations they may need to enable and maintain protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Childhood vaccinations will not protect you for the rest of your life. Be the example!