Back to School Checklist

By Terry Orr

Ugh….No!…its still July…I don’t want to think about school yet Mom. Three of five my grandson’s will be returning to school soon and granddaughter begins Kindergarten in a few weeks.  Earlier today, while working on the August Blog schedule – the light went off – what we need is a good checklist for folks getting ready of school and college. Well, the first list I found (mom’s back to school checklist) starts with…2 months before school starts!!  Yikes, I am already two weeks late with this article.  Guess this ‘forgetting things’ is yet another reminder, that perhaps I’m getting older.

Each of the references below have some excellent ideas to help the parent, children and students get ready of their upcoming routine and things that need to be done prior to starting classes.

Getting them back on the routine of getting to bed and up on time has always been a long pole in the tent in our home.  They love staying up late and sleeping in late. One of the links suggest to start going to bed 10 minutes earlier each night until you reach the desired bedtime and same with getting up in the mornings – sounds like a good plan. If this will be the first year using an alarm clock, recommend an early start for that as well.

In the family – shared calendars are a must these days – and having a wall calendar in the kitchen/hallway makes excellent sense.  It’s an easy reminder for all what is going on – two months (this and next) is another good idea.

Post new rules at school where everyone can see them.  This will save lots of time and frustration for all.  Do’s and Don’t list. Emergency Contact List posted and one carried at all times.

REFERENCES AND LINKS:

http://www.momagenda.com/printable/back-to-school.pdf

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/family-health-12/back-to-school-prep

http://singleparents.about.com/od/yourchildseducation/tp/btschecklist.htm

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/back-school-complete-checklist-parents/story?id=11407354

http://www.schoolfamily.com/school-family-articles/article/762-back-to-school-checklist

http://www.parentfurther.com/blog/back-to-school-checklist-for-parents

http://www.parents.com/app/checklist/?checklistId=3002e

 [Photos from Google) 

Adult Immunization Awareness Week

(Google Image) 

By Terry Orr

In the Navy, getting your immunizations happen all too often for most of us – and stress the importance getting them when needed.  We fortunate to have a primary care doctor who makes sure that we keep current on all our shots and recommendations for once that may not be required, but make good sense to have them.  As adults, we owe it to ourselves, our family or love ones to be proactive and get those vaccines.

(Google Image) 

According to Adult Immunization.org, more than 50,000 US adults die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases and their complications, more than breast cancer, HIV/AIDS, or motor vehicle traffic accidents, yet overall vaccination rates remain low. Adult vaccinations can protect against illness, absenteeism from work, hospitalization, or even death; however, adult vaccination rates, on average, are far lower than the Healthy People 2020 goals for immunization and infectious diseases.

(Google Image) 

These suboptimal rates are not only taking a toll on the country's health; they are also impacting the bottom line: the estimated direct costs of treating just two vaccine-preventable illnesses — influenza and pneumonia — in adults in the US alone are over $35 billion per year.

(Google Image) 

10 Reasons To Be Vaccinated:

Vaccine-preventable diseases haven’t gone away;

Vaccines will help keep you healthy;

Vaccines are as important to your overall health as diet and exercise;

Vaccination can mean the difference between life and death;

Vaccines are safe;

Vaccines won’t give you the disease they are designed to prevent;

Young and healthy people can get very sick, too;

Vaccine-preventable diseases are expensive;

When you get sick, your children, grandchildren and parents are at risk, too; and

Your family and coworkers need you.

(Google Image) 

References and Links:

http://www.adultimmunization.org/cai

http://www.cdc.gov/Features/AdultImmunizations/

http://children.webmd.com/vaccines/tc/immunizations-adult-immunizations

Immunization Awareness Month – 2012 Update

(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest, RN

Have you been reading about the outbreak of whooping cough?  It appears that it is spreading again.  Why is this happening?  Isn't there a vaccine for that?  The trouble is some parents are choosing not to vaccinate their children.  Vaccination records were easy to obtain.  They have to be submitted before entering school. Another problem is, many families are choosing to homeschool their children, and some of those who homeschool do not vaccinate their children do to various beliefs.

National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time to promote immunizations and remind family, friends, and coworkers to get caught up on their shots.

(Google Image) 

Vaccinations are very important to control many diseases.  Take a look at Small pox.  This disease has been eradicated here in the US, and most other countries.  Thanks to WHO when they got the word out about vaccinations.

(Google Image) 

Vaccinations are not just for children, there are several vaccines available for adults as well.  Vaccines for the flu, shingles, tetanus, and other diseases.  A chart for adults is pictured above.

(Google Image) 

August is Immunization Awareness Month.  This month was chosen because children are starting school, or returning back to school and need to have their records, and updates.  It is also good times for adults who plan on traveling to get their records checked, and start appropriate shots.

If you have or know children who have not been immunized, please take them or encourage their parents to take proper measures to protect them from acquiring life threatening diseases.

(Google Image) 

What childhood vaccines are recommended, and at what ages they should be given?

Hepatitis B vaccine:

• First dose at birth before discharge
• Second dose at 1 to 2 months
• Third dose at 6 to 18 months

HIB vaccine:

• First dose at 2 months
• Second dose at 4 months
• Third dose at 6 months (depending upon type of Hib vaccine given)
• Fourth dose at 12 to 15 months

Inactivated polio vaccine:

• First dose at 2 months
• Second dose at 4 months
• Third dose at 6 to 18 months
• Fourth dose at 4 to 6 years

DTaP vaccine:

• First dose at 2 months
• Second dose at 4 months
• Third dose at 6 months
• Fourth dose at 15 to 18 months
• Fifth dose at 4 to 6 years
• Tdap is recommended at 11 years

Pneumococcal vaccine:

• First dose at 2 months
• Second dose at 4 months
• Third dose at 6 months
• Fourth dose at 12 to 18 months

Rotavirus vaccine:

• First dose at 2 months
• Second dose at 4 months
• Third dose at 6 months (depending upon type of rotavirus vaccine given)

Hepatitis A vaccine:

• First dose at 12 months
• Second dose at 18-30 months

Influenza vaccine:

• First dose at 6 months (requires a booster one month after initial vaccine)
• Annually until 5 years

MMR vaccine:

• First dose at 12 to 15 months
• Second dose at 4 to 6 years

Varicella vaccine:

• First dose at 12 to 15 months
• Second dose at 4 to 6 years

Meningococcal vaccine:

• First dose at 11 years
• Second dose at 16 years

Human papillomavirus vaccine:

• First dose at 11 years
• Second dose two months after first dose
• Third dose six months after first dose

Links:

http://kisbyto.blogspot.com/2011/08/are-you-up-to-date.html

http://www.cdc.gov/Vaccines/events/niam/default.htm