Sarasota News Leader
August 9 & 16, 2013
Page 76
YOUNG ADULTS REMINDED TO GET VACCINES TO STAY HEALTHY
As part of the August Immunization
Awareness Month campaign, local
health officials are reminding the public, especially adults who are 19 to 26,
to catch up on their vaccinations.
The following groups are encouraged
to get vaccinations to maintain health
and wellness, the Sarasota County
Health Department says in a news release: college-age students who will be
studying abroad or living in dormitories; overseas travelers who are leaving
the country on business or for recreation, mission trips or adoptions; persons who are sexually active; pregnant
women; new parents and caregivers to
young children; and persons with certain health conditions and occupational
and lifestyle risks.
"Vaccines offer safe and effective protection against influenza (flu), pneumonia, human papilloma virus (HPV),
tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)"
and many other preventable diseases,
the release adds. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), more than 40 million adults die
each year from diseases that can be
effectively prevented with immunizations.
For example, the release says, the flu
vaccine continues to be the best defense against circulating flu viruses.
The 2013-2014 seasonal flu vaccines
will be available beginning in late August or early September at the downtown Sarasota and North Port locations
of the Florida Department of Health in
Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) and at
area pharmacies, the release adds.
For another example, tetanus diphtheria boosters are recommended every 10
years. However, the CDC points out that
people 10 years of age and older should
receive a booster of tetanus, diphtheria
and pertussis (TDaP) in place of one
tetanus diphtheria booster. Additionally, pregnant women are now advised to
get a TDaP booster with each pregnancy, preferably in the second or third trimester. Along with providing protection
to the person vaccinated, the booster
helps protect infants up to 18 months
of age, "who are at very high risk for
severe complications" from whooping
cough and are not old enough to be fully
immunized, the release points out.
Click here to see what vaccinations you
need.
Immunizations are available at two
county locations, Monday through Friday. Call for hours at each site. Appointments are encouraged for adults, the release adds. The locations are as follows:
• William L. Little Health & Human
Services Center, 2200 Ringling Blvd.,
Sarasota; 861-2900.
• North Port Health Center, 6950 Outreach Way, North Port; 861-3864.
For more information, visit www.sarasotahealth.org or the CDC website at
www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
