QUEENS, NY (07/20/2012)(readMedia)-- July is National Immunization Month. In support of this annual observance, Fidelis Care encourages every New Yorker to speak with their doctor to ensure their vaccinations are up-to-date.

Vaccinations are designed to enhance the body's natural defenses against disease. By exposing the body to a weakened form of a virus or inert pieces of virus, the body can learn to fight the virus, and prevent the disease. Should the vaccinated individual contract the disease, the effects of the disease are often greatly reduced due to the immunity developed from the vaccination.

"Through aggressive vaccination programs, diseases that once claimed the lives of millions are now largely a thing of the past," said Sanjiv Shah, MD, Fidelis Care's Chief Medical Officer. "However, several infectious diseases persist because some individuals forego recommended vaccinations and boosters, placing themselves and their community at risk."

For many, the choice not to vaccinate is the result of the lack of adequate health insurance. Fidelis Care believes every New Yorker has the right to quality, affordable health insurance that is provided with dignity and respect. Fidelis Care's government insurance programs provide members with access to routine and preventive care, including recommended vaccinations.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following schedule of vaccinations, unless an individual has a known medical condition that would make it dangerous to receive the vaccination. Fidelis Care encourages everyone to speak with their doctor about which vaccinations they should receive.

Annual vaccination against the flu is recommended for everyone over the age of six months, including pregnant women.

The recommended series of vaccinations for children under the age of two years includes diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), pneumonia, meningitis, polio, hepatitis B, influenza, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and rubella.

All 11 and 12-year-olds should receive booster vaccinations to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and meningitis. The CDC recommends that all 11 and 12-year-olds receive the vaccine for the human papillomavirus (HPV).

The CDC also recommends that men and women between the ages of 19 and 26 be vaccinated against HPV if they were not vaccinated previously.

Adults over the age of 19 should speak with their doctor to determine whether they need to receive boosters for tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), measles, mumps, and rubella.

Individuals over the age of 60 should be vaccinated against zoster (shingles), and those over 65 should be vaccinated against pneumococcal pneumonia.

Some adults, depending upon age and exposure risks, may require additional vaccinations to protect against diseases such as hepatitis A and B, and meningitis.

By ensuring that as many individuals as possible are protected through immunizations, communities benefit from "herd immunity." While every member of the community may not be completely protected, the chance of an infectious disease gaining a foothold and spreading is greatly reduced as the number of vaccinated individuals increases. Individual vaccinations are extremely important because some members of the community cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons. Herd immunity helps protect these individuals by reducing their chance of exposure.

Fidelis Care offers free or low-cost health insurance through New York State's Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, and Medicaid Managed Care programs. Members are covered for regular checkups, preventive care, routine screenings, hospital and emergency care, eye exams, dental care, and more. In addition, Fidelis Care also offers a variety of benefit options for seniors through Fidelis Medicare Advantage, Dual Advantage, Medicaid Advantage Plus, and Fidelis Care at Home programs, available in certain counties.

With more than 783,000 members in 59 counties statewide, Fidelis Care was founded on the belief that all New Yorkers should have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Members have access to more than 51,000 health care professionals statewide. Regional offices are located in Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rego Park (Queens), with satellite offices in Rochester, Poughkeepsie, and Suffern.

For more information, call Fidelis Care toll-free at 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) or visit www.fideliscare.org.

-30-

Posted Friday July 20, 2012 at 01:09 pm by Fidelis Care
Last Updated Monday July 30, 2012 at 04:54 pm