August is National Immunization Awareness Month, and immunizations may be on your mind more than ever this year.
COVID-19 vaccines are on our minds this year as Northwest Arkansas sees more new cases. As of this writing, Washington County is at the Medium (yellow) level of risk though Benton County is still at the Low (green) level. While vaccines do not completely prevent COVID-19, people who have been vaccinated are less likely to become seriously ill and less likely to remain sick for a long time. That also decreases the risk of infecting other people.
Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics is now offering the COVID-19 vaccine for children age 6 months and older. Please contact the office at (479) 442-7322 to schedule a vaccine appointment!
Routine vaccinations
Some families have missed routine vaccinations during the pandemic for a variety of reasons.
Children can have routine immunizations at the same time as the COVID-19 shot. You have the power to protect your children against serious diseases like measles, cancers caused by HPV, and whooping cough. By now, most of us do not remember the childhood diseases that used to kill so many children. That’s wonderful news, and it is thanks to vaccines that we don’t have to worry about those diseases.
Let’s keep it that way!
If your children have missed routine immunizations, schedule an appointment as soon as possible and talk to your pediatrician about how to get caught up. It is important to have vaccines according to the recommended schedule. Some vaccinations require more than one shot for effectiveness, and they need to be scheduled appropriately. Your child’s pediatrician can help you get back on track.
What’s the recommended schedule?
MANA doctors follow the American Academy of Pediatrics vaccination schedule for kids from birth to age 18.
This schedule helps your child get immunized for serious diseases before being exposed to them. These vaccinations protect your child and your community.
If you have questions about vaccinations or about the immunizations your child needs, talk with your pediatrician or visit Northwest Arkansas Pediatrics’ vaccine information page to learn more.