Franklin – As we look forward to school starting in September, and thoughts of apples and harvest begin to fill our heads, thoughts of immunizations should start to fill our heads as well. Whether it’s to get ready to go back to school or prepare for the chill of fall and the pneumonia and flu it brings with it, we all need shots (vaccines) to help protect us from serious diseases. This protection is called immunization. To help keep our community safe, Franklin VNA & Hospice is proudly participating in National Immunization Awareness Month.

Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. It’s important to know which shots you need and when to get them. If you are the parent of a child, your school and pediatrician should work together to determine which immunizations your child needs to help keep her or him safe, and to help keep those who are unable to vaccinate due to immune disorders safe as well.

All adults need immunizations to help them prevent getting and spreading serious diseases that could result in poor health, missed work, medical bills, and not being able to care for family. This is especially true if you are pregnant, over 65 or have had a serious illness such as a lung disease, diabetes or cancer.

Franklin VNA & Hospice are proud to provide influenza vaccines October to May for any patient or attendee to its Flu Clinics. It is highly recommended to get an influenza vaccine every year, as each year the vaccine changes to protect you best. In the United States, millions of people that don’t get vaccinated are sickened, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from the flu.

There are now two different vaccines to help prevent pneumonia for those at risk or are over 65. You should talk with your health care provider about these if you are at risk to ensure you have had them both. A 2017 study found for patients with COPD the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines decrease exacerbations of their disease (Efficacy of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination in Preventing COPD Exacerbation). This means fewer emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and illnesses.

Getting your immunizations is an important step to make sure you, and the ones you love stay healthy. It helps protect those who are unable to be vaccinated and helps prevent illness in our most vulnerable neighbors. Talk to your doctor or nurse to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need.