August is National Immunization Awareness Month: a month to increase awareness about immunizations from infants to the elderly.  Cobb & Douglas Public Health wants to remind residents to catch up on their vaccinations.  Immunizations are one of the most effective ways to protect children and adults against many common infectious diseases.

“Immunizations are the best way to fight vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Priti Kolhe, District Immunization Director, Cobb & Douglas Public Health. “Our goal is more than just to keep our children healthy, it’s also to protect those around them from vaccine-preventable diseases.”

Every adult in Georgia (19 years and older) should follow the recommended immunization schedule by Age and Medical Condition. Vaccinations protect you and they protect others around you; especially infants and those individuals who are unable to be immunized or who have weakened immune systems.   It is always a good idea to have the adult vaccine schedule nearby as a reference and to make sure you are current on your own immunizations.  This link is to the recommended adult immunization schedule:

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/downloads/adult/adult-schedule-easy-read.pdf

Students born on or after January 1, 2002 and entering the seventh-grade need proof of an adolescent pertussis (whooping cough) booster and adolescent meningococcal vaccinations. Every child in a Georgia school system (kindergarten-12th grade),  attending a child care facility, or a student of any age entering a Georgia school for the first time is required by law to have a Georgia Immunization Certificate, Form 3231.  Below are the immunizations required for child care and school attendance:

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus
  • Pertussis
  • Polio
  • Measles
  • PCV13 (up to age 5 years)
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Hepatitis A and B
  • Hib disease (up to age 5 years)
  • Varicella
  • Meningococcal Conjugate

Vaccines protect families, teens and children by preventing disease.  They help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and pneumococcal disease.  Immunizations also reduce absences both at school and at work and decrease the spread of illness in the home, workplace and community.

Cobb & Douglas Public Health immunization clinics are located at the Marietta, Acworth, East Cobb and Douglasville locations. No appointments are needed for immunizations and walk-in services are available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This August, be smart and get immunized! Talk to your health care provider or visit your public health department and get immunized today.

For more information on immunizations, visit DPH – Immunization Section.