By Rodney Jackson, Carl R Darnall Army Medical Center Public Affairs

FORT HOOD, Texas – As families prepare for a new school year and Soldiers continue to meet the demands of military service, August serves as an important reminder that staying current on immunizations is one of the simplest ways to protect individual and community health.

National Immunization Awareness Month, observed each August, highlights the importance of vaccination for people of all ages and encourages individuals and families to talk with their healthcare providers about staying up to date.

At Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, immunizations are an important part of preventive healthcare for the Fort Hood community.

“Vaccines are an important part of keeping our community healthy and ready,” said Lacy Kirkes, chief nurse of family and community medicine. “Immunizations help protect not only the individual receiving the vaccine, but also the people around them who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.”

Immunizations are for every age

While childhood vaccines often receive the most attention, immunizations remain important throughout a person’s life.

The recommended vaccination schedule begins at birth and continues through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Children and teenagers may need vaccines to protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough, polio and meningococcal disease. Adults may need vaccines based on their age, health conditions, occupation, travel and other factors.

For military families, keeping children current on recommended vaccinations can be particularly important as families move between duty stations, enroll children in new schools and adjust to changing schedules.

“Moving can sometimes make it easy for families to lose track of when a vaccine is due,” said Kirkes. “Keeping a copy of your child’s immunization record and reviewing it during routine appointments can help make sure nothing is missed.”

The beginning of a new school year is also a good opportunity for parents to review their children’s records. Children who have missed recommended vaccines may need to catch up, and some older children and teenagers have additional vaccination needs.

Adults need vaccines, too

Immunization does not stop when a person graduates from school.

Adults may need routine vaccinations or boosters throughout their lives. Depending on age and individual circumstances, recommended vaccines can include influenza, Tdap, hepatitis B, HPV, pneumococcal, shingles, RSV and other immunizations.

For service members, staying current with required immunizations is also an important part of maintaining readiness.

“Service members have unique healthcare requirements because of their mission and the environments in which they may work or deploy,” said Heidi Romine, immunization registered nurse. “Keeping immunizations current helps ensure they are protected and ready to accomplish their mission.”

A conversation worth having

For some patients, the hardest part of staying current may simply be knowing which vaccines they need.

Recommendations can change based on a person’s age, health history, previous vaccinations, travel and other risk factors. CRDAMC encourages beneficiaries to talk with their healthcare team about their individual immunization needs.

“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” said Romine. “Your healthcare team is here to help you understand what is recommended for you and your family.”

Protecting more than yourself

Vaccination is ultimately about more than checking a box on a medical record.

For military communities, where Soldiers, families, healthcare workers and support personnel interact every day, maintaining protection against vaccine-preventable diseases helps support a healthier community and a ready force.

This National Immunization Awareness Month, CRDAMC encourages Fort Hood beneficiaries to take a moment to review their vaccination records, ask questions and speak with their healthcare provider about whether they are up to date.

A conversation with a healthcare professional today can be an important step toward protecting yourself, your family and the community around you.