MAYVILLE - National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to remind family, friends and coworkers to get caught up on their shots. Immunizations (or vaccinations) aren't just for infants and young children. We all need shots to help protect us from serious diseases and illness. Everyone age 6 months and older needs a seasonal flu shot every year. Here are some other shots people need at different ages:
Young children:
Children under age 6 get a series of shots to protect against measles, polio, chicken pox, and hepatitis.
Pre-teens and teens:
Pre-teens need shots at age 11 or 12 to help protect them from tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis, and HPV (human papillomavirus).
Teens need a booster shot at age 16 to help protect them from meningitis.
Adults:
All adults need to get a 1-time dose of Tdap vaccine (the adult tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine). After that you need a booster shot every 10 years to protect against tetanus and diphtheria.
People age 65 or older need a one-time pneumonia shot.
Talk to your doctor or nurse about which shots you and your family need.
Be sure to check with your health care provider to see that you and your family are up to date on immunizations. Immunizations are available by appointment at the Chautauqua County Health Department. Regular clinic hours until Aug. 31 are 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Starting on Sept. 4 they will change to 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional evening clinic appointments are available for all ages. Call for an appointment: Jamestown 661-8111, Dunkirk 363-3660, Mayville 753-4765.
