Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Inc. (MCHC) reminds you that August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This year’s campaign asks “Are You Up to Date? Vaccinate!”

Recommended vaccinations begin soon after birth and should continue throughout life. By protecting ourselves and our families with recommended vaccines, we also protect those around us who would otherwise be exposed to vaccine-preventable diseases.
Vaccines are one of public health's greatest triumphs. With the exception of safe water, no other health strategy, not even antibiotics, has had such a tremendous effect on reducing disease and improving health. However, vaccine-preventable diseases and deaths still occur in the U.S., affecting children, adolescents and adults.

Please read the following facts—they could save your life, or the life of someone you love:

• Pneumococcal disease causes thousands of deaths and 175,000 hospitalizations each year in the US. Together, pneumonia and influenza are the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and the sixth leading cause of death among people 65 years of age and older.
  
• Disease outbreaks occur when immunization rates decline. For example, from 1989 through 1991, low rates of measles, mumps and rubella immunization among pre-school aged children resulted in a measles epidemic that caused over 55,000 cases and 120 deaths.
  
• Chickenpox is widespread in the US, and virtually everyone who is not vaccinated is at increased risk for contracting chickenpox in adulthood. The risk of complications and death from chickenpox can be up to 10 to 20 times greater for adults than children.
  
• Each year in the US, there are an average of 200,000 influenza-related hospitalizations and 36,000 influenza-related deaths. Approximately 340,000 children and adolescents have chronic illnesses placing them at increased risk for influenza disease and its complications.
  
• Nearly one-third of the 12,000 annual cases of meningococcal disease in the United States result in fatalities or severe disabilities. In 2002, an estimated 150 deaths due to meningococcal disease occurred in the United States. Infants under 12 months of age have the highest rates of disease. The proportion of cases among adolescents and young adults has increased in recent years.
  

Children are especially vulnerable

In August, parents are enrolling children in school, older students are entering college and adults and the health care community are preparing for the upcoming flu season. This makes August a particularly good time to focus community attention on the value of immunization. Parents can take responsibility for protecting their children by:

1. Keeping a record of their child’s current immunizations and,
2. Asking their doctor about what immunizations are needed to keep their children safe.

The viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist and can infect people who are not protected by vaccines. Vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting in doctor's visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths. Remember, if you do not immunize your children, you threaten the health of your entire family.

Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Inc. encourages people of all ages to learn more about the recommended vaccines, and to make sure that they are up-to-date. If you’d like more information about adult immunizations, go on the web to http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.htm. Learn more about children’s immunizations at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm.
If you think you or your children need immunizations and you do not have a doctor or if you are unsure about your ability to pay for healthcare services, please call the MCHC health center nearest you to obtain more information. In Ukiah, call Hillside Health Center at 468-1010. In Willits, call Little Lake Health Center at 456-9600.

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