Are You Giving it Your Best Shot?

CSFA Community Risk Reduction

Although vaccinating ourselves against the less-pleasant people in life is beyond the realm of modern medical science, what our current vaccines can do is still pretty powerful. Aggressive education and vaccination led to the eradication of the deadly disease smallpox. In 2000, the U.S. declared that measles was eliminated from this country “elimination” is defined as absence of continuous disease transmission for more than 12 months, although we still experience some cases brought by unvaccinated travelers.

Without vaccinations can lead to complacency. Recently, we’ve seen outbreaks of measles and whooping cough, and many experts believe that these spikes are caused by parents refusing to vaccinate their children. When this happens, it can threaten the health of the unvaccinated child and other children in the community.

That’s why we can’t let our guard down, and why the Center for Disease Control recognizes August as National Immunization Month.

Why not start a campaign in your community to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines? Remember, infants and the elderly are at greater risk for serious infections and complications, but vaccine-preventable diseases can strike anyone. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases reports that approximately 50,000 adults die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases in the U.S.

Reach out to the schools in your community to ensure children are up to date on vaccines as they head back to school. School-age children, from preschoolers to college students, need vaccines. Shots may hurt a little, but the diseases they can prevent are a lot worse. Also, include information about other vulnerable groups in your outreach. Those older than 60 should receive the shingles vaccine. Those older than 65, as well as those with certain medical conditions, should get the pneumonia (PCV13) vaccine. And everyone who is healthy enough should receive an annual flu vaccine!

And don’t forget about yourself. In addition to any of the above vaccines, first responders should have the hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine. In fact, your department’s communicable diseases policy (you do have a communicable diseases policy, right?) should indicate that it will be provided at no cost to members.

Finally, remember that handwashing is like a “do-it-yourself” vaccine. It involves five simple and effective steps — wet, lather, scrub, rinse, dry — to keep you healthy (let’s not forget about our masks). Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain calls or activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs to others.

So don’t procrastinate – Vaccinate!

Editor’s note: California State Firefighters Association is honored to help your agency with Community Risk Reduction articles for you to use for your agency’s social media, press releases to local media, cable tv, or presentations to community organizations etc. These articles are intended to reduce fires, accidents, and injuries by sharing these within your community. This week’s article is designated for Wildfire Preparedness Day which is May 4th . This article and its content can be used at your discretion at any time you feel is appropriate for your community. Do you need other resources for Community Risk Reduction, or do you have questions on how to best use these resources? Feel free to contact [email protected]

Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He is Director at Large with the California State Firefighters Association, Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com