August is Immunization Awareness Month

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month

Over the past century, vaccines have helped significantly reduce the number of people who die from diseases. Yet, to this day, U.S. adult vaccine rates are low, resulting in severe illnesses that the proper immunizations can easily prevent.

» Why are vaccines important?

There are many reasons to stay updated on your vaccines. First and foremost, vaccines prevent hospitalizations and death, not only for those receiving the vaccines but also for the people they encounter. Those who cannot receive vaccines due to a weakened immune system or other health conditions are safer when their communities are vaccinated. By preventing the spread of illness, vaccines also help families avoid missing work and accruing additional medical bills that can cause financial strain.

» How do immunizations work?

Vaccines consist of weak or dead viruses (antigens) that trigger our body's immune system to produce protective antibodies (proteins that fight the infection). In recent years, some vaccines contain a blueprint of antigens rather than the viruses themselves. The amount of protection you receive is based on the type of vaccine and other factors like age and health. It is important to stay up to date on your vaccines as some wear off over time and require boosters.

» Are vaccines safe? Currently, vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect your health. Before a vaccine is approved by the FDA, rigorous pre-clinical and clinical studies are conducted to ensure safety, effectiveness, and dosing. These trials involve more participants than standard drug trials and are one of many safety regulations. If you have any questions regarding the safety of vaccines for you and your family, please ask your doctor.

Back-to-School Vaccine Resources:

As we prepare for back-to-school season, it is important to get caught up on immunizations. Check out some external resources below and be sure to schedule a well-child visit with your WFHC provider.

» Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule for ages 18 years or younger; 2024 U.S. (cdc.gov)

» Current Vaccine Information Statements (cdc.gov)

» Childhood Vaccine Quiz (cdc.gov)

» Vaccine Preventable Disease Control Program (lacounty.gov)

Schedule Your Immunization Visit

Celebration Schedule

» Monday 8/05: Housing is a Human Right

Presentation about Venice Community Housing, food resources, and personal hygiene freebies.

» Tuesday 8/06: Vote for Health

Voting registration resources and freebies including voter lanyards.

» Wednesday 8/07: Team Member Appreciation Day

Team lunch, raffle, and fun fact slide show.

» Thursday 8/08: Children's Health

Dental activity books, nutrition activity kit, mental health resources, button craft, and kid freebies.

» Friday 8/09: Patient Appreciation Day

Raffle for patients and goodie bags with gifts and health resources

National Health Center Week

Every year, National Health Center Week increases awareness for the 1,400 community health centers in the United States, which serve over 31.5 million patients annually. Check out the schedule on the left to see how we're commemorating this special week at the WFHC.

WFHC Team Member of the Month: Jen King

Congratulations to Nurse Practitioner, Jen King, for being voted team member of the month!

As an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, Jen oversees various aspects of reproductive health, including IUD placements, endometrial biopsies, menopausal care, and cancer screenings.

One of Jen's favorite parts of her job is educating patients on reproductive health and “seeing how it empowers people to make the best decisions in the context of their life.”

While it can be challenging for providers to give their patients the services they need, without insurance coverage, WFHC is different. “Luckily at WFHC we provide access to people regardless of their ability to pay, and we have people on our team who are experts at assisting our patients with applying for programs and insurance.”

Providing quality and accessible healthcare is made possible through collaboration. Jen emphasizes, “Teamwork is the foundation of our work here. Everything I do would not be possible without my coworkers and teammates at WFHC.”

Message from Debra Farmer, WFHC President & CEO

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

Every now and then I hear someone say that they can’t do something like go back to school or learn a new hobby because they are too old. The most wonderful thing about life is that we do grow old, but growing old allows us to learn new things, take up new hobbies, or develop a new trade. It’s important that you know you can dream your dreams or set new goals throughout your life. It’s never too late to do something. I read about two World War II veterans who parachuted during the D-Day celebrations –one was 99 years old, and the other was 104 years old! They never gave up on something they loved to do even when others told them they could not do it. I’ve read of people going back to school while in their 80’s and graduating! It was their dream and they made it a reality. Take a look at your dreams and goals, what are they? What do you need to accomplish them? Is there something we can do to help you? Your family? Your friends? Ask – never be afraid to ask. You don’t want to be 100 years old and regret the things you never even tried to do if that’s what you truly want to do.

Breathe,

Deb Farmer

Get Your Tickets for WFHC's 50th Birthday Party!

Join us as we honor five decades of advancing health equity and serving our community with dedication and compassion. This is your chance to be part of an unforgettable night at Sony Pictures Studio filled with entertainment, great food, and community. Tickets and sponsorships are now available for purchase.

Buy Your Tickets Here

Summer Eye Safety Tips

» Sunglasses are integral to keeping your eyes safe. Even if glasses are dark-tinted they can provide little to no protection. When picking a pair be sure to look for a UV400 rating or “100% UV protection” on the label.

» Rest your eyes. Working long hours at a computer causes eye strain. Give your eyes a break every 20 minutes by looking at something far away for 20 seconds.

» Wear protective eye gear. When doing activities such as sports and home repairs you should wear safety goggles to prevent damage.

June's Poll Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in last month's poll! Check out your answers below, and don’t forget to answer our August trivia question.

What is the recommended daily intake of water for an average adult? The correct answer is 2.7 liters for women and 3.7 liters for men daily. This includes the water consumed from food and beverages (about 20% of a person's daily intake). Remember that the true amount of water one needs depends on environmental and physical factors.