August not only marks the beginning of school in Kentucky, but also National Immunization Awareness Month, highlighting the importance and benefits of immunizations.
Dr. Hiram Polk, Commissioner Kentucky Department for Public Health, said vaccines are a requirement for school entry and they help protect the health of children and that of their classmates and their community. When children are not vaccinated, they could be at risk of disease and can possibly spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community.”
Vaccines help protect against serious diseases such as chickenpox, flu (influenza), hepatitis, measles, meningitis, mumps, polio and whooping cough (pertussis).
Protection received from childhood vaccines decreases over time. Preteens, teens and adults may need to be revaccinated, even if they were completely vaccinated as children.
For more information about immunizations, contact the Kentucky Department for Public Health’s Immunization Program at (502) 564-4478 or your local health department or healthcare provider.
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