National Immunization Awareness Month: Protecting Winnie and Our Community

By Michael J. Lyons, D.O., Chief Medical Officer Coastal Gateway Health Center

September is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM)—an opportunity to remind individuals and families in Winnie and throughout our community that vaccines are an important part of staying healthy at every stage of life.

At Coastal Gateway Health Center (CGHC), we believe preventive healthcare starts with making sure our patients have access to the information, services, and support they need to stay healthy. Immunizations are an important part of that mission.

Keeping Winnie Healthy—One Vaccine at a Time

August is an ideal time for families to review immunization records and make sure children are prepared for the new school year. But vaccination is not just about children or school requirements. People of all ages may need recommended vaccines based on their age, health history, pregnancy status, and other risk factors.

We encourage our patients to ask:

“Are my vaccines—and my family’s vaccines—up to date?”

A conversation with your healthcare provider can identify vaccines that may be due or overdue and provide an opportunity to answer questions.

Back-to-School Immunizations

With students returning to classrooms throughout Winnie and the surrounding area, August is an especially important time for parents to review their children’s immunization records.

Children and adolescents may need routine or catch-up vaccinations to maintain protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. Adolescence is also an important time to discuss HPV vaccination, which helps prevent infections that can lead to several types of cancer.

CGHC’s healthcare team can help families review immunization histories and determine what vaccines may be recommended based on a child’s individual circumstances.

Adults Need Vaccines, Too

Vaccination does not stop when a child graduates from school. Adults may need vaccines or booster doses throughout their lives. Depending on age and individual circumstances, recommended vaccines may include influenza, COVID-19, RSV, pneumococcal disease, shingles, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, hepatitis B, and HPV.

Older adults and people with certain chronic conditions may have additional vaccination needs because their risk of serious complications from some infections can be higher.

Protecting Our Community

Vaccination is about more than protecting yourself. Staying appropriately vaccinated helps reduce the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases and provides additional protection for people who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.

In a close-knit rural community like Winnie, our health is interconnected. Healthy families contribute to healthy schools, businesses, churches, and community organizations.

CGHC Is Here to Help

At Coastal Gateway Health Center, our team works proactively to identify patients who may be due for recommended vaccinations through our electronic health record and preventive-care processes. We can help patients review their immunization history and discuss vaccines appropriate for their individual circumstances.

If you have questions or concerns about vaccines, we encourage you to talk with your healthcare team. Our goal is to provide accurate, evidence-based information in a welcoming and nonjudgmental environment.

Take Action This September

Protect yourself. Protect your family. Protect Winnie.

National Immunization Awareness Month may have been in August, but there’s plenty of time to act. Take a moment to review your family’s vaccination status. If you are unsure whether you or a family member is up to date, ask your healthcare team.

Vaccine recommendations vary based on age, health history, and individual circumstances. Patients should discuss their specific needs with a healthcare professional using current CDC recommendations.