Nebraska’s medical director says vaccines and health checks help the community

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The month of August is National Immunization Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the annual observance is held in August to highlight the importance of vaccinations for people of all ages.

National Immunization Awareness Month coincides with the time of year when children are heading back to school. Dr. Timothy Tesmer, Nebraska Medical Director for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, said scheduling routine vaccinations and wellness checks with primary care providers should be a priority for Nebraska families.

“This sets the stage for routine immunizations and vaccinations that parents should be aware of and at least discuss with their child’s health care provider, in addition to general wellness checks,” Dr. Tesmer said.

Dr. Tesmer also said vaccinations and wellness checks should be an even bigger priority in the middle of the school year.

“Schools, especially for respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses, tend to be breeding grounds because students are in a closed environment and it’s much easier to transmit those types of illnesses back and forth. Basic hygiene is very important,” said Dr. Tesmer.

Dr. Tesmer said he believes wellness checks and vaccinations are not only for the good of the patient but also for the benefit of others.

“Vaccines are not only for the health and safety of the individual, but also for the health and safety of those around them, such as other classmates or other educational professionals who are around the child day in and day out,” said Dr. Tesmer.

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