National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)

Both here in the United States and abroad in Jamaica, we acknowledge National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) in August. NIAM brings awareness to the importance of getting vaccines throughout your life to protect your health. I know that getting a vaccine is nobody's favorite thing to do, but the reward pays off in preventing illness and diseases from spreading. By getting vaccinated, we not only protect ourselves, but our community as well by not spreading illness.

When we think of vaccines we often think of babies and young children, but it is important that as adults we continue to get our vaccine boosters as well. Yes, it starts when we are small and initially get vaccinated for everything. However, there are some routine vaccinations we need throughout our lives. Some of which include your yearly flu vaccine or a shingles vaccine as you age. I encourage each of you to stay up to date on your vaccinations to protect your health.

This is especially important for pregnant women. When a pregnant woman gets a vaccine, she can protect her unborn baby as the vaccines she receives while pregnant passes from her to her baby in utero. For example, If a woman were to get a flu shot, that flu shot will not only protect the mom from getting the flu but also the baby when he/she is born. When I was pregnant with my children I found this so fascinating. I thought it was interesting how medicine works in protecting us and our babies and how connected we are in those moments. When I was pregnant with my oldest son, I cut my finger on a rusty nail and needed to get a DTaP vaccine since mine was outdated. I found so much comfort in knowing that not only would I be safe from tetanus but so would my baby. Babies do not receive their first round of shots until two months old, so much of their antibodies and protection come from us, their moms.

The benefit of vaccines is life saving and so important for each one of us. If you have not been vaccinated as an adult, I encourage you to check in with your doctor and see if you are due for any boosters or vaccinations.