August is National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). This annual observance highlights the importance of getting recommended vaccines throughout your life. During NIAM, we encourage you to talk to your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider to ensure you and your family are protected against serious diseases by getting caught up on routine vaccination.

As your children head back to school this fall, it’s particularly important for you to work with your child’s doctor or nurse to make sure they get caught up on missed well-child visits and recommended vaccines. Orange County Health Departments offers vaccines, physicals, and other types of appointments for children and adults. To make an appointment with Orange County Health Department’s clinics, call us at 919-245-2400.

Remember to take care of yourself too! Make sure to receive any vaccines you need to stay healthy. Use CDC’s adult vaccine assessment tool to see which vaccines might be right for you.

August is also a critical time for those who are eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccination, check out the following websites:

• Your COVID-19 Vaccination | CDC
• COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens | CDC

August is National Breastfeeding Month

Can mothers who use tobacco or e-cigarettes breastfeed their infant? Mothers who use tobacco or e-cigarettes should be encouraged to quit; however, breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits and breast milk remains the recommended food for an infant.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Academy of Pediatrics recognize pregnancy and lactation as two ideal times to promote tobacco and smoking cessation.

To minimize exposure to the infant, mothers and others who smoke should:

• not smoke near the infant
• smoke outside
• have smoke-free rules for the car and home
• change clothes and wash hands after smoking and prior to handling the infant

Interested in quitting? Please contact Rita Krosner, Tobacco Prevention and Control Coordinator for the Orange County Health Department at 919-245-2424 or rkrosner@orangecountync.gov

Ready to Quit? 

Sign up for a free, virtual tobacco cessation Freshstart class today! To register, contact Rita Krosner by phone at (919) 245-2424, or by email at: rkrosner@orangecountync.gov. Register by Monday, August 28, 2023.

Learn more here: www.orangecountync.gov/QuitSmoking.gov.

 Register for Medical Nutrition Therapy and Diabetes Self-Management Services

Did you know that Orange County Health Department (OCHD) offers Medical Nutrition Therapy and Diabetes Self-Management Education Services? Register for one of OCHD's upcoming Diabetes classes today: 

• August 10 and 17
• September 14 and 21

We'd love to have you join us! For more information, call: 919-245-2380.