Role of Immunizations in Protecting Your Health and Your Childs Health

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Protect Your Familys Health With Immunizations

• Role of Immunizations in Protecting Your Health
  and Your Childs Health

Developed By Barbara (Bobbi) Clarke, PhD,
RD Professor, Extension Health Specialist and
Co-director for The University of Tennessee
Center for Community-based Health Initiatives
Updated 12/03
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Ways We Protect Our Health

• Using seat belts
• Washing hands
• Brushing our teeth
• Eating nutritious food

• Being active
• Using sunscreen
• Getting adequate rest
• Other ways?

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Immunizations Protect Our Health

• The easiest and most powerful health tool ever
  developed
• Yet people often forget how important
  immunizations are to preventing infectious and
  deadly diseases

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Why Are Immunizations Important?

• Protect you and your family from harmful diseases
  and even death!
• Make many diseases rare today
• Keep you, your children and your community healthy

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What Will We Discuss in This Program?

• What immunizations are and how they work
• Tips for keeping-up with your immunizations and
  those for your family
• Which immunizations are important at different
  ages
• Need for the annual flu shot for family members

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What is a Vaccine?

• A medicine that is given to help your body fight
  disease
• It helps your immune system do its work!

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How Does Immunity Work?

• Protects you from germsfuture infections
• Builds antibodies
• Antibodies destroy germs that are making you sick
  and help you get well
• Antibodies also destroy the germs before they
  make you sick

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Are Immunizations Safe?

• Yes, immunizations are among the safest
  medications.
• Serious reactions to immunizations are extremely
  rare, but do occur.
• Talk to your doctor if you have any questions
  about a vaccine you or your child need.

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Do Immunizations Have Side Effects?

• Some may cause temporary side effects
• Redness, tenderness, warmth, mild pain or
  swelling under the skin where the shot was given
• Fever
• Sleepiness
• Crankiness

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What Do Immunizations Cost?

• Child immunizations are part of your childs well
  care visits.
• Health insurance should cover these
  immunizations.
• Most adult immunizations will be paid for by your
  health insurance plan.
• Check with your health insurance provider.
• For Medicare enrollees, the flu and pneumonia
  shots are fully paid for by Medicare
  Part B.

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Keep Records of Immunizations

• Keep an immunization record for each member of
  your family.
• Ask your doctor for a record to use.
• Keep these important records in a place where you
  can easily find them.
• Need proof of immunization before a child can go
  to school or day care.

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In Summary, Immunizations are

• Recognized as one of the greatest 20th century
  achievements in the prevention of disease and
  death
• Safe
• Affordable
• An important health tool for you and your family

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So Be Wise Get Immunized!

• Keep an up-to-date immunization record for every
  member of your family ?including all children and
  adults.
• Talk to your doctor about what immunizations are
  needed and when.

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Adult Immunizations Record
Child Immunizations Record
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• Questions?