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August is immunization awerness month

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Uderstanding immunizations can help Team Shaw and their families stay healthy as children prepare for school and military members maintain mission readiness.

Following an outbreak of Smallpox in 1776 which killed approximately 5,000 Continental Army soldiers, Gen. George Washington, then commander-in-chief, ordered mandatory preventative measures to fight the spread of the disease.

"Vaccination protects us from serious illness and complications from diseases," said Tech. Sgt. Richard Sangston, 20th Medical Group NCO in charge of immunization. "Almost all vaccines are mandatory for active duty members, however some are only mandatory when deploying to specific locations."

Since the world's first vaccination in 1796, millions of diseases have been prevented due to the use of vaccines, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website.

"The diseases we vaccinate against could be completely eradicated should everyone receive them," said Sangston. "[Diseases] can cause gastrointestinal disorders, respitory failure, amputation of an arm or leg, paralysis of limbs, hearing loss, convulsions, permanent brain damage or even death."

For civilians, the need for specific immunization is determined by age, overall health status and medical history.

"The shingles vaccine is recommended at age 50 and pneumococcal at age 65," said Sangston. "For some people, it is even more important to be vaccinated because they are far more susceptible to disease."

Along with adults, it is important for children to be vaccinated, especially as they head back to school.

"Viruses and bacteria spread well throughout schools," said Sangston. "It is of the upmost importance that children receive their childhood vaccinations."
 
South Carolina state vaccine requirements makes certain vaccines mandatory to attend public school; these vaccines include Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Pneumococcal, Haemomophilus Influenzae Type B.

Kids attending the Child Development Center on base are also required to get yearly vaccinations.

"If a child is enrolled in the CDC or participating in any after-school program on base, they must receive all [SC public school] vaccines plus an additional Hepatitis A, Meningococcal and the Rotavirus," said Sangston.

Though not often seen in the United States, disease outbreaks can still occur.

"In 2012, 48,000 cases of whooping cough were reported in the U.S., leading to 20 deaths," said Sangston. "This could have been prevented had those children received the pertussis vaccine."

In the last year, Shaw AFB administered more than 23,000 vaccines.

By staying up-to-date on recommended immunizations, Team Shaw and their families can protect themselves from life-threatening diseases.

For more information on immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.