As a pediatrician and the Assistant Secretary for Well being, I advocate daily to maintain kids wholesome. Vaccination is a tremendous device to just do that. Immunization additionally helps us enhance the well-being of kids. Guaranteeing adolescents obtain on-time vaccination is crucial so they don’t miss out on necessary actions. This might help to serve their social wants and their psychological well being.
Vaccinations are sometimes given throughout preventive care visits. It’s necessary for adolescents to get this preventive care yearly, so we are able to verify on their total well being. Not solely will an adolescent get routine vaccines to guard them from ailments reminiscent of flu, meningitis, and COVID-19, however they’ll additionally get wanted screenings, counseling, and different interventions at the moment.
This Adolescent Immunization Motion Week (AIAW), a yearly observance that encourages mother and father and well being care suppliers to take motion to get all adolescents updated on their vaccines, I urge you to take motion to do that. I ask public well being advocates to affix in too.
Right here’s how one can play a job:
- Dad and mom: For those who want one, schedule a wellness go to. Ask your youngster’s well being care supplier in case your youngster wants a preventive care go to or any vaccinations. Study what steps to take earlier than the vaccine appointment to really feel extra ready and assist your youngster really feel extra snug on the appointment.
- Suppliers: Use AIAW as a name to motion to speak about missed nicely youngster visits and the significance of staying up to date on vaccinations. You may as well use digital well being information to contact mother and father to schedule adolescent immunizations and schedule vaccination clinics throughout spring break or AIAW.
- Public Well being Advocates: Unfold the phrase in regards to the significance of staying updated on routine immunization utilizing the supplies on the Catch-As much as Get Forward Toolkit or the AIAW web site.
We are able to all take steps throughout AIAW, which lasts from April third – seventh, to advance the well being of adolescents by making certain on-time immunization. By working collectively, we might help to stop outbreaks, save lives, and advance the general well being of all adolescents.
