August provides a great opportunity to learn more about the value of immunization. As you enroll children in school, drop-off older kids at college, and prepare for fall's busy months as summer winds down, make sure your family and friends are up-to-date on their vaccines.

Why immunize?

• Vaccines control many infectious diseases that were once common in this country.
• They reduce and in some cases eliminate many diseases.
• Vaccines also help keep thousands of infants, children and adults safe from diseases that once killed or caused serious harm.
• Viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist and can infect people who are not protected by vaccines.
• Maintaining high immunization rates protects your entire community by disrupting the transmission of disease-causing bacteria or viruses.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention regularly update immunization schedules. Each schedule is organized by age groups for easy reference. Check out: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm to find out if you are up-to-date.

Still skeptical? No problem, the CDC understands that some people simply need more information so they've created a specific section on their web site titled: Parents Who Question Vaccines. Check it out and learn more about questions you still have. Information is also attainable by called the CDC Contact Center at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), English and Spanish operators available or 1-888-232-6348 (TTY hotline).

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/