Now is the Time to

Get Immunizations!

During this pandemic, it is important to ensure the health and safety of our patients and loved ones. Read why getting immunized is the best place to start.

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National Immunization Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance held in August, to highlight the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages.⁵There is a concern that immunizations have decreased in recent months due to the pandemic.²

When you receive immunizations, your probability of becoming ill from diseases is significantly lower. Furthermore, if you become unwell, you will likely undergo a lighter case than if you were not vaccinated. Immunizations reduce your chance of complications from infectious diseases, such as seasonal flu and shingles. They can also diminish your risk of a hospital stay. This prevention is critical now, as hundreds of people are currently in the hospital for COVID-19.²

Nurse giving a vaccine to a women in Houston

Discuss with your doctor the advisability of getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. The new delta variant is so highly transmissible and has recently caused a surge in new Covid cases, so getting the vaccine will protect not only yourself but your loved ones.

Get Vaccinated

Catch-up on your children’s missed childhood vaccines. CDC’s public sector vaccine ordering data show that during the Covid pandemic, there has been a 14% drop in 2020-2021, compared to 2019, and measles vaccine ordering is down by more than 20%.

List of Vaccines

Are You Over The Age of 50 or Have a Weakened Immune System?

Consider getting:

The shingles vaccines (two, 2-6 months apart) if you are 50 or older.³
The pneumonia vaccine if you are over 65.¹
- Two vaccines that help prevent Streptococcus pneumoniae infections. It is recommended that adults over age 65 first receive the PCV13 (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine, which goes by the brand name Prevnar 13), followed by the PPSV23 (Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine, which goes by the brand name Pneumovax 23) one year later.⁴
The seasonal flu vaccine (for all ages)

Adults with a weakened immune system or other chronic health conditions may need to be vaccinated against pneumococcus earlier than age 65, so check with your doctor to see what recommendation is best for you.⁴

The CDC has approved all of these vaccines as safe and effective, and the Covid-19 vaccine as safe and effective under an emergency use authorization. Now is the time to get immunized against preventable diseases for yourself and your family.

Works Cited

¹ Anne Arundel County Maryland Department of Health. (2018, December 6). Immunize for Life. https://www.aasalud.org/pdf/immunize-for-life.pdf.

² Arkansas House of Representatives. (2020, August 7). August is Immunization Awareness Month. https://www.arkansashouse.org/news/post/8003/august-is-immunization-awareness-month.

³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, January 25). Shingrix shingles Vaccination: What everyone should know. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/shingles/public/shingrix/index.html.

⁴ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, August 7). Recommendations for Adults with No Previous Pneumococcal Vaccinations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/hcp/PCV13-adults.html.

⁵ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, July 30). National immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html.

If you are homebound, Signature can provide most of these vaccines on a doctor’s order. Contact Signature 24/7 at 1.800.277.8291 for more information.