August is National Immunization Awareness Month. It's important to talk about how essential vaccinations are for our health and the health of our community.1
Have you had all your vaccinations? If you aren’t sure, take this easy quiz from the CDC to see which ones you might need. Before getting any new vaccinations, talk to your health care provider. They can guide and support you on your health journey.
It can seem like there are many vaccinations to keep up with. Here are a few important vaccinations to consider:
- Influenza (Flu): This vaccination can lower the risk of getting the flu. If you do get the flu, it can make your illness less severe. It's important for people at higher risk of respiratory problems, like those with COPD, to consider getting vaccinated.2
- Pneumococcal (Pneumonia): This vaccination can prevent serious health problems like pneumonia, meningitis, or blood infections caused by bacteria.3 It's mainly important for older adults and people with COPD.4
- Shingles: It is important for people who have had chickenpox to consider this vaccine. Shingles can cause a painful blistering rash. People with COPD are at a higher risk for complications like post-herpetic neuralgia. Shingles can also make your COPD symptoms more severe.5-8
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): RSV can cause cold symptoms. But for people with lung conditions like COPD, it can lead to more severe infections like pneumonia. There is a vaccine suggested for people aged 60 and older who are at higher risk of lung symptoms.9
To learn more about shingles and RSV, check out the interactive learning modules available on the COPD Foundation website.
In addition to vaccination, other habits can help to keep you healthy during the flu and RSV season:
- Try to avoid people who you know are sick.
- Consider wearing a mask if you are going to be in crowded places.
- Clean high-touch areas of your home with disinfectant.
- These can include doorknobs, tables, and countertops.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, rest, and prepare yourself to stay healthy during the coming fall and winter seasons. If you have questions about which vaccines best fit you, talk to your healthcare provider. Keep track of your immunizations on your wallet card so you can keep your important health information handy.
Image used with permission from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
Resources
- National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). cdc.gov. Updated July 9, 2024. Accessed August 1, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/index.html
- Influenza (Flu). cdc.gov. Updated March 20, 2024. Accessed August 2, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/index.html
- Pneumococcal Disease Symptoms and Complications. cdc.gov. Updated February 6, 2024. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/pneumococcal/signs-symptoms/index.html
- Pneumococcal Vaccination. cdc.gov. Updated September 21, 2023. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/pneumo/index.html
- Shingles Symptoms and Complications. cdc.gov. Updated February 6, 2024. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/signs-symptoms/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/symptoms.html
- Marra F, Parhar K, Huang B, Vadlamudi N. Risk factors for herpes zoster infection: a Meta-Analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(1):ofaa005. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofaa005
- About Shingles (Herpes Zoster). cdc.gov. May 10, 2023. Accessed January 11, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/about/index.html
- Forbes HJ, Bhaskaran K, Thomas SL, et al. Quantification of risk factors for postherpetic neuralgia in herpes zoster patients: A cohort study. Neurology. 2016;87(1):94-102. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000002808
- RSV in Adults. cdc.gov. Updated February 6, 2024. Accessed August 5, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults/index.html