Liberty, NY – Back-to-school season is here. It’s time for parents to gather school supplies and backpacks. It’s also the perfect time to make sure your children are up to date on their vaccines.
To celebrate the importance of immunizations for people of all ages – and to make sure children are protected with all the vaccines they need as they go back to school – Sullivan County Public Health Services is joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month.
“Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by CDC’s immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children from serious diseases,” said Nancy McGraw, Director of Sullivan County Public Health Services. “If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check with your child’s doctor to find out what vaccines your child needs.”
Vaccines protect children, preteens and teens from 16 serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
“When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions,” advised District 2 Legislator Nadia Rajsz, chair of the Legislature’s Health & Family Services Committee. “Talk to your child’s doctor to find out which vaccines are recommended for them before going back to school.”
Parents can find more about recommended vaccines by visiting www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents or http://sullivanny.us/Departments/Publichealth/Fluandimmunizationclinics or by calling Sullivan County Public Health Services at 845-292-5910, ext. 0.