In August, we start looking forward to the fall season and dreaming of cooler temperatures ahead. August is also National Immunization Awareness Month, which is an annual observance of the important role vaccines play in our health. What do you need to stay healthy and protected?
Some diseases are rare thanks to the protective power of vaccinations. However, the diseases are still present throughout the world and can be passed on to those who are unvaccinated.
By staying unprotected, you leave yourself open to infecting others, missing work, making a trip to the doctor or potentially being hospitalized.
Did you know:
- An average flu illness can last up to two weeks, typically with five or six missed work or school days.
- Every year, an estimated 1 million Americans experience shingles.
- Shingles can cause a blistering rash so painful that the average person will miss four days of work.
University Health pharmacists recommend you get these vaccines as an adult. Staying on track with your regular vaccines can help protect you from preventable illnesses, like the flu.
Know Which Vaccines to Get by Age
See which vaccinations you or your children need based on age.
| Vaccine | Purpose | When to Get It |
| COVID-19 and Flu | Protects against COVID-19 and flu, viruses that can affect your breathing |
Annual update for everyone age 6 months and older |
| RSV | Protects against RSV, a virus that causes a flu-like sickness, and can send some adults to the hospital |
Single dose for all adults age 75 and older Single dose for some adults age 60-74 |
| Shingles | Prevents the painful rash known as shingles | Two-dose series for adults age 50 and older |
| Tetanus | Protects from bacteria capable of causing serious disease that live in the environment | All adults need one dose every 10 years |
| Hepatitis B | Protects against Hepatitis B, a preventable virus that can cause serious liver disease |
Unvaccinated adults age 19-59 need to complete a series (commonly two doses) Some unvaccinated adults age 60 and older need to complete a series |
| HPV | Protects against some cancers | Eligibility for series starts at age 9 for boys and girls |
| Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) | Protects from three highly contagious diseases | All adults without immunity need at least one dose |
| Meningitis | Protects from contagious bacteria that can cause brain or blood infections |
Teens starting at 11 years old need a two-dose series of the four-component meningitis vaccine (MenACWY) Some teens starting at 16 years old need an additional two-dose series called MenB |
Flu
The flu is a respiratory tract infection that passes from person to person through the air. Symptoms of the flu include fever, muscle aches, sore throat and cough. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia or death.
The flu vaccine protects you from the highly contagious virus that causes the flu.
The CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older get one dose of the flu vaccine every year in the fall.
COVID-19
Protect yourself and others from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19. COVID-19 is an easily transmissible respiratory infection. Everyone 6 months and older can get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Shingles
Shingles infects the nerves and can cause painful blisters, usually on one half of the body. The chickenpox virus that has laid dormant for years and gets reactivated causes shingles.
Adults 50 years and older and immunocompromised adults 19 and older are encouraged to get this vaccine to prevent shingles and its complications. This is a two-dose vaccine you get two months apart.
Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis
Adults should receive a Tdap vaccine every 10 years.Hepatitis B
The Hepatitis B virus can cause serious liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer and death. Your health care provider may encourage you to get the Hepatitis B vaccine if you:
- Have diabetes, HIV, kidney disease or liver disease
- Are a public health care worker
- Are an injection drug user
- Are a caregiver who comes into contact with blood
According to the CDC, the Hepatitis B vaccine is available to all age groups. You should get two to three doses over a 6-month period.
HPV
Men and women should receive this vaccine to reduce the risk of getting the human papilloma virus and related cancers caused by HPV. HPV can cause cervical and anal cancers.
The CDC recommends that all children ages 9-12 get the HPV vaccine. Adults 18-26 years old not previously vaccinated and some adults 27-45 years old may also need the vaccine.
Pneumonia
All adults 65 and older and adults 18 and over who smoke or have chronic medical conditions should get vaccinated. The pneumococcal vaccine protects from bacteria that causes pneumonia, blood infections and meningitis. You may need two to three doses, depending on your age and medical conditions.
Vaccination Services at University Health Pharmacies
Our pharmacies are here to help you stay healthy! University Health pharmacies gave over 19,000 vaccinations last year. Our team of expert pharmacists are here to answer your vaccination questions. Find a pharmacy near you.
