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Pioneer Memorial Supports Immunization Awareness Month

We all need vaccines to help protect us from serious disease. Each year, tens of thousands of adults in the U.S. needlessly suffer, are hospitalized, and even die from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. To help keep our community safe, Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services is proudly recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month.

Shots can prevent serious diseases like the flu, measles, and pneumonia. Patients should talk with their primary care provider about which vaccines are right based on age, health, job, lifestyle and other factors.

Parents are encouraged to make sure children are up to date on vaccines. Children are at an increased risk for disease and can spread disease to others in play groups, child care centers and classrooms, and to babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer and other health conditions. Vaccines can protect babies from 14 serious diseases before turning age 2. After 6 months of age, children are recommended to receive the annual flu vaccine, and additional vaccines between ages 4 and 6.

Pre-teen and teen vaccines protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases, including meningitis, septicemia, and cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

Young adults also need vaccines to stay protected, especially when college-bound, because protection from childhood vaccines can wear off with time. College students may be at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases like meningococcal disease.

Adults (including pregnant women) should receive the flu vaccine annually. Every adult should have one dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) or Td (tetanus and diphtheria) every 10 years.

Women should stay current on vaccines before becoming pregnant, and pregnant women should receive a vaccine against whooping cough (pertussis) during each pregnancy, preferably at 27 through 36 weeks. These vaccines protect mom and baby.

This August, talk to your provider to make sure that everyone in your family gets the shots they need. Immunization is a vital part of staying healthy. It not only protects the person who gets the vaccine but also prevents spreading diseases to others. To find out which vaccines you need and where you can get vaccinated, talk to one of our providers at Pioneer Memorial Hospital & Health Services by calling 605-326-5201.

Contact Numbers

Hospital

p. 605.326.5161

Senior Care

p. 605.326.5190

Centerville Medical Clinic

p. 605.563.2411
f. 605.563.2060

Parker Medical Clinic

p. 605.297.3888
f. 605.297.3974

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