Immunization Awareness Month: COVID-19 and Beyond

by Arjun Ohri, MD, FryeCare Hickory Family Practice Associates

5月11日, 2023, the Department of Health and Human 服务 announced an end to the public health emergency brought on by COVID-19.[1] Since the peak of the Omicron variant in January 2022, COVID-19 cases have declined rapidly. Though the disease still poses a health risk to many Americans, COVID-19 death rates have dropped 95% from their height in 2021.[2] As a nation, we are the healthiest we’ve been in years.

Much of our achievement in combatting the virus can be attributed to a record-breaking vaccine rollout. Since the first COVID-19 vaccine was released to the public, more than 270 million Americans have received at least one dose, and over 70% are considered fully immunized,[3] making this the largest adult vaccination program in our nation’s history. As more of us become resistant to the virus, we are able to return to the activities we love – visiting restaurants, 户外旅行, and hosting social gatherings – without fear that we’ll endanger ourselves or the people around us.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. 每年, we take this time to recognize that vaccines are essential to our health and the health of our community – a lesson that the past few years have made especially clear. 几个世纪以来, immunization has been one of the most effective ways we can protect ourselves from preventable illness.[4] 曾经致命的疾病, 比如小儿麻痹症, have all but vanished thanks to the power of community-wide vaccination, while others such as COVID-19 are becoming much less dangerous. Whether we’re young or old, we can stop the spread of disease by following vaccination guidelines.

Although COVID is still on the forefront of everyone’s mind, it’s important to remember that other diseases have not gone away. The CDC has observed that over the past few years, many children missed yearly check-ups due to concerns surrounding COVID.[5] September is approaching, which for many Americans means the start of the school year. As you gear up your child with books and pencils, make sure to also check their immunization record, and talk to their provider about making up any missed appointments.

疫苗不仅适用于儿童. Adults also benefit from certain vaccinations, to protect against diseases such as shingles, 破伤风, 普通流感. Some vaccines can even reduce your risk of cancer – the Hepatitis B vaccine can prevent liver cancer, while the HPV vaccine immunizes you against the most common cause of cervical cancer.[6] Your recommended vaccines may vary, depending on your age, lifestyle, and prior immunization history. 例如, 经常旅行的成年人, or 谁 missed important vaccinations during childhood, 可能要做体检了吗. Talk to your primary care provider about your vaccine history, and ask if any of the following vaccines are right for you:

If there is a lesson we should take away from the past few years, it’s that our community’s health is everything, and protecting our health is everyone’s responsibility. When you get vaccinated to strengthen your immune system, you’re not just safeguarding yourself from common illnesses, you’re also protecting your family, 邻居, and the most vulnerable members of your community. Because everyone deserves a healthy life.

Schedule a check-up with your primary care provider today. To find a provider close to home, call Frye Regional Medical Center’s physician referral line at 828-315-3391.

For more information on immunization recommendations by age, visit www.疾病预防控制中心.gov /疫苗.

Dr. Arjun Ohri is a board-certified internal medicine physician at FryeCare Hickory Family Practice 在北卡罗莱纳州的山科里.

[1] http://www.美国卫生和公众服务部.gov/about/news/2023/02/09/letter-us-governors-美国卫生和公众服务部-secretary-xavier-becerra-renewing-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html

[2] http://www.美国卫生和公众服务部.gov/about/news/2023/05/09/fact-sheet-end-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html

[3] http://covid.疾病预防控制中心.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations_vacc-people-booster-percent-pop5

[4] http://www.谁.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/a-brief-history-of-vaccination#:~:text=Dr%20Edward%20Jenner%20created%20the,cowpox%20were%20immune%20to%20smallpox.&text=In%20May%201796%2C%20English%20physician,the%20hand%20of%20a%20milkmaid.

[5] http://www.疾病预防控制中心.gov /疫苗/parents/visit/vaccination-during-COVID-19.html

[6] http://www.疾病预防控制中心.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/vaccination.htm