Test your knowledge and awareness about immunizations.
1. Immunizations are the best way of protecting children from some infectious diseases.
True. Many infectious diseases that once were common in this country are now under control because of vaccines. Immunizing your children is the best way of protecting them from some infectious diseases. Adolescents between ages 11 and 13 need the additional protection that immunizations provide. Booster shots continue to help protect them against diseases for which they were immunized as infants or young children.
2. I should be very concerned about the side effects of vaccinations because all children develop reactions.
False. In most cases, vaccines cause no side effects, or only mild reactions such as fever or soreness at the injection site. Very rarely, people experience more serious side effects, like allergic reactions. Severe reactions to vaccines occur so rarely that the risk is usually difficult to calculate.
3. Meningococcal vaccine is recommended only for children ages 11 and 12 and for unvaccinated adolescents entering high school.
False. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends meningococcal vaccine for all children ages 11 and 12, for unvaccinated adolescents entering high school, and for college freshmen living in dormitories. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid of a person's spinal cord and the fluid that surrounds the brain. This is sometimes referred to as spinal meningitis. Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection.
4. Immunizations are equally important for adults; reports show that each year, approximately 43,000 adults die from preventable diseases.
True. According to the CDC, many adults die from diseases that could easily be prevented by vaccinations. In fact, influenza and other vaccination levels remain low for adults. Visit the CDC for additional statistical information.
5. Each year, approximately 5% to 20% of the U.S. population gets infected with the flu.
True. According to the CDC, on average, 5% to 20% of the population gets the flu, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications, and about 36,000 people die from the flu every year. Visit the CDC for more information or visit our Good 2 B Me website.
Good 2 B Me focuses on adolescent and teen immunizations and the crucial role they play in protecting kids’ health. Studies show that more than 35 million American adolescents do not receive their recommended immunizations by the time they are age 14, making them more susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases. For more in-depth information, Good 2 B Me provides helpful links to authoritative external sites like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institute of Health.
6. Flu vaccine is the best way of preventing infection with the flu virus and the complications associated with it.
True. The best way to prevent infection with the flu virus is by getting a flu vaccination each fall. Please discuss your individual needs for vaccination with your health care provider.
7. Flu symptoms include: fever (usually high), runny or stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, muscle aches, extreme fatigue, dry cough, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea which is more common in children than adults.
True. All of the above are symptoms of the flu. Complications of flu can include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure).
8. The flu vaccine is only recommended only for people at high risk for complications from the flu.
False. Discuss your individual needs with your health care provider. In general, the flu vaccine is recommended for:
- adults 50 or older;
- individuals with medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathy, immunosuppression, and those who live in chronic-care facilities;
- individuals with any condition that compromises respiratory function or compromises the handling of respiratory secretions or that can increase the risk of aspiration (e.g., spinal cord injury, seizure disorder, cognitive dysfunction, or other neuromuscular disorder);
- individuals living or working with at-risk people;
- women who will be pregnant during the influenza season (December through March);
- health care workers or other persons who provide direct care to at-risk people;
- household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children from birth to age 59 months;
- travelers at risk for complications of influenza who visit areas where influenza activity exists or who may be among people from areas of the world where there is current influenza activity (e.g., people on organized tours);
- persons who provide essential community services;
- students or other persons in institutional settings (e.g., dormitory residents);
- anyone wishing to reduce the chance of becoming ill with influenza;
- adults and children 6 months and older who needed regular medical care. (Vaccine is not recommended for infants younger than 6 months);
- individuals who have had pneumonia before age 65 and have not been vaccinated in five or more years;
- individuals under 65 with chronic medical conditions.
In addition to the above list healthy nonpregnant persons under age 49 who meet any of these conditions:
- people working or living with at-risk people as listed in the section above;
- health care workers or other persons who provide direct care to at-risk people (except persons in close contact with severely immunosuppressed persons);
- household contacts and out-of-home caregivers of children from birth to age 59 months.
