Immunization Information for the Whole Family

August is National Immunizations Awareness Month, the start of a new school year and the perfect time to make sure that children's immunizations are up to date.

But immunizations aren't just for kids. Vaccines for the flu, shingles, pneumonia and tetanus also help support long-term health in adults.

Immunizations protect people from contracting or spreading diseases that can cause long-term health effects or even death. In addition, vaccinations decrease the rate of transmission of disease, contributing to overall community health. For most people, the diseases immunizations prevent are typically far more dangerous than the side effects.

Following is a timeline of recommended vaccines courtesy of New West Physicians' Evergreen Internal Medicine. If you have any questions about which vaccinations are best for you or your family, please speak with your primary care provider.

Birth to age two
Hepatitis B - three rounds
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping cough)
Haemophilus influenzae (Prevents meningitis, pneumonia, skin and bone infections)
Inactivated Polio
Measles, Mumps and Rubella
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Pneumococcal (Prevents meningitis, pneumonia and blood infections)

Age four to six
Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis
Inactivated Polio
Varicella (Chicken Pox)
Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

Age 11 to 12
Tetanus/pertussis booster
Meningitis

Girls age 11 to 12 OR age 13- 26 who have not been vaccinated
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
College Freshman Living in Dormitories
Meningitis

Age 60 and up
Shingles

Age 65 and up OR age 19-64 with diabetes, heart disease, or underlying lung or liver conditions
Pneumonia

Yearly beginning age 6 months, especially high-risk patients, their caretakers and people over age 50
Influenza

Every 10 years
Tetanus booster

New West Physicians is a primary care physician group and medical management company serving more than 250,000 patients at 13 Denver-area offices. New West's internal medicine and family practice professionals strive to be our patients' medical home, coordinating care and working with each person and family to help create and maintain long-term healthy lifestyles. New West regularly conducts its own internal research to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality care reflecting the best and most current medical research. For additional information and office locations, please visit www.nwphysicians.com.