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August is National Immunization Awareness Month

August 12, 2025

August is National Immunization Awareness Month—a perfect opportunity to learn about how vaccines protect you, your loved ones, and your community. Vaccines aren’t just for kids; they are an important part of staying healthy at every age. They protect against serious illnesses like measles, whooping cough, shingles, and even some cancers.

Many people don’t realize that vaccine-preventable diseases can still spread in the United States. When vaccination rates drop, outbreaks can and do happen. So, what can we do about it?

Understand why vaccines matter

Vaccines work by training your immune system to recognize and fight off certain germs before they can make you seriously ill. Some diseases, like polio, were once common but are now rare in the U.S. thanks to widespread vaccination. However, they can return and outbreaks still occur when vaccination rates drop.

Vaccination is not just about protecting yourself. It’s also about protecting those who are too young, too old, or medically unable to receive certain vaccines. This community-wide protection, called herd immunity, is what keeps diseases from spreading.

Know what vaccines you need at every stage of life

Your vaccine needs don’t end after childhood. Here are some key recommendations:

For Children and Teens
  • DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis)
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
  • Polio
  • Varicella (chickenpox)
  • HPV (human papillomavirus, prevents certain cancers)
  • Meningococcal (prevents meningitis)
For Adults
  • Tdap booster every 10 years
  • Influenza (flu) vaccine every year
  • COVID-19 vaccine and boosters as recommended
  • Shingles vaccine at age 50+
  • Pneumococcal vaccine at age 65+ or earlier with certain health conditions
During Pregnancy
  • Tdap during every pregnancy to protect newborns from whooping cough
  • Flu vaccine to protect both mother and baby

Take steps to stay up to date

Staying on schedule with vaccines is the most effective way to prevent illness. Here’s how:

  • Keep a personal vaccination record and bring it to every appointment so your provider can update it.
  • Ask your healthcare provider about vaccines you may need based on your age, job, travel plans, or health conditions.
  • Get vaccinated before you travel as some destinations require certain vaccines to protect against diseases common in that region.
  • Don’t skip annual flu shots. The flu changes every year, so your protection needs to be refreshed.

Common Myths About Vaccines — And the Facts

Myth: “I never get sick, so I don’t need vaccines.”
Fact: Even healthy people can get sick and spread disease to others. Vaccines protect both you and the people around you. Illnesses such as measles can lead to pneumonia, brain swelling, or death. Whooping cough can be deadly for infants. HPV can lead to multiple types of cancer years after infection. Even the flu sends hundreds of thousands of people to the hospital each year.

Myth: “Vaccines cause the illness they’re meant to prevent.”
Fact: Vaccines use killed or weakened parts of the germ, so they cannot cause the disease. They simply train your immune system to fight it.

Myth: “It’s better to get natural immunity.”
Fact: Natural infection can cause severe illness, long-term complications, or death. Vaccines give immunity without those risks.

SVH is here to help!

Vaccines are one of the safest, most effective tools we have to protect health at every stage of life. Staying up to date on vaccines protects not only your health, but also the health of your family, friends, and community. If you or a loved one are unsure about your vaccination status, talk with a healthcare provider. A simple review of your medical history and an updated vaccine plan can make a world of difference. At Snoqualmie Valley Health, we are here to guide you, answer your questions, and make sure you have the protection you need.

Article written by Jordan Wallace, MD, Pediatrician at Snoqualmie Valley Health. 

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