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It’s never too early to consider preventive measures to combat influenza.

If you are the parent of a newborn, knowing when to immunize your child can be overwhelming, even confusing. Some parents prefer a more limited schedule of vaccinations while others struggle with the very idea of getting their children immunized. Studies have shown that following a proper immunization schedule can greatly reduce your child’s vulnerability to illness. But just what shots do they need and when?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released recommendations related to 2012-2013 flu vaccine. The new vaccine is based on current flu strains and will contain the swine flu (H1N1) strain, as well as two new strains of the flu virus.

Pertussis, more commonly known as “whooping cough,” is on the rise in parts of the United States and proper vaccination can protect against this highly contagious bacterial infection.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month, a reminder of the importance of immunization as an integral part of overall health of individuals, families and communities.  This month is a good time to pull out your shot records and see if you are up-to-date on your vaccinations.

Immunizations provide protection against many preventable diseases and work hand-in-hand with good nutrition and tobacco-free living as part of a healthy lifestyle.  Vaccinations, weight management and tobacco-free living work together towards overall health and readiness.  Maintaining high immunization rates also protects the entire community by interrupting the transmission of disease-causing bacteria or viruses. This reduces the risk that unimmunized people will be exposed to disease-causing agents, protecting some of the most vulnerable members of the community; infants and those who cannot be immunized for medical reasons. By keeping yourself healthy and preventing disease you are contributing to the health of the entire community. 

Learn more about immunizations and vaccines.

World Health Day is celebrated every year on April 7, which is the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization in 1948.

The campaign invites everyone to focus on a single health challenge with global impact and it provides an opportunity to start collective action to protect people's health and well-being. This year the focus is on how good health can help aging men and women to lead full and productive lives and be resources for their families and communities. 

Learn more about World Health Day by visiting the World Health Organization. 

Information on preventative measures for lifelong good health, including immunizations for disease, is available at Health.mil.

To help kick off 2011, we’ve asked experts throughout the Military Health System for advice to tone bodies, stay well, heal, lift spirits and lend support to New Year’s resolutions. 

Visit the blog daily for a new tip – and share your ideas with us at: MHSWebmaster@health.mil.

Today’s tip is about the importance of screenings and vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer, and comes from an article posted by TRICARE, and written by Dr. Warren Lockette, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Clinical and Program Policy and the chief medical officer of TRICARE Management Activity.

This post is republished from DoD Live

 

Vaccines have been saving lives on and off the battlefield for hundreds of years. Since George Washington first inoculated his troops from smallpox in 1777, our servicemembers have been better prepared to engage in battle and live long, healthy lives – knowing they are protected from some of the world’s deadliest diseases.

 

Of course, other vulnerable populations like children need this protection too. Today, children typically receive vaccinations for 14 diseases. Before vaccines, these diseases claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. And now, because of widespread vaccination, diseases like polio in the U.S. and smallpox worldwide that were once life-threatening have been completely eradicated.

 

Getting your child vaccinated has benefits beyond the child who receives the immunization. Immunizations protect your children’s friends, schoolmates, and others they come into contact with who may not have been vaccinated for one reason or another. Grandchildren and future generations are protected from diseases when their parents and grandparents have received immunizations. And the more that children are immunized, the lesser the prevalence of the disease, encouraging its eventual eradication.

The Military Health System recognizes August as Immunization Awareness Month. During the course of the month, the MHS partners with the Military Vaccine (MILVAX) Agency to encourage service members, veterans and family members to receive their scheduled vaccinations.