August is National Immunization Awareness Month—a time to highlight the vital role vaccines play in keeping people of all ages healthy. From protecting children starting school to safeguarding adults and seniors, immunizations are one of the most effective tools we have to prevent disease and save lives.
Why August Is the Perfect Time to Talk About Vaccines
August arrives with important milestones—parents enrolling young children in school, college students preparing for campus life, and the healthcare community gearing up for flu season. These transitions create the perfect opportunity to review vaccination records and ensure everyone is up to date.
With vaccinations frequently in the news, now is an ideal moment to share accurate information about how they work, who needs them, and why they are critical for community health.
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines train your immune system to recognize and fight viruses and bacteria without causing the illness itself. They contain a small, safe component of a virus or bacteria—either weakened, inactivated, or a fragment of it—that prompts your body to produce protective antibodies.
When you encounter the real virus later, your immune system remembers how to respond quickly and effectively, often preventing illness entirely or reducing its severity. This protection is built without the risks associated with contracting the disease naturally.
Who Should Get Vaccinated?
Vaccination isn’t just for kids—immunization is important throughout your life.
For children, recommended vaccines protect against potentially life-threatening illnesses such as measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, whooping cough (pertussis), and chickenpox
For teens and young adults, additional vaccines may include: HPV (human papillomavirus) to help prevent certain cancers, meningococcal disease, and annual flu shots
For adults and seniors, vaccines may be needed based on age, health, and lifestyle, including: annual flu vaccine, Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), shingles vaccin, and pneumococcal vaccine
The Importance of Community Protection
When most people in a community are vaccinated, it creates herd immunity—a layer of protection for individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions or weakened immune systems. This means your choice to get vaccinated helps protect newborns, cancer patients, and others who rely on community immunity for safety.
Taking the Next Step
Your health needs may change over time, so it’s important to review your immunization history with a qualified healthcare provider. At Highland Family Medicine, our team can answer your questions, review your vaccine records, and help you stay on schedule with recommended immunizations.
Schedule your vaccination appointment today with Highland Family Medicine—and take a step toward lifelong protection.
