VALLEY — Back-to-school season is here. It’s time for parents to gather school supplies and back packs. It’s also the perfect time to make sure children are up to date on their vaccines.

To celebrate the importance of immunizations for people of all ages – and make sure children are protected with all the vaccines they need as they go back to school – the Alamosa Immunization Coalition is joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month. The local coalition’s goal is to improve the health of the community by increasing immunization rates across the lifespan.

“Getting children all of the vaccines recommended by CDC’s immunization schedule is one of the most important things parents can do to protect their children from serious diseases,” said Kristina Steinberg, MD, family practitioner at Valley Wide Health Systems and medical advisor for Alamosa County Public Health. “If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to check with your child’s medical provider to find out what vaccines your child needs.”

Vaccines protect against a number of serious and potentially life-threatening diseases.

When children are not vaccinated, they are at increased risk for diseases and can also spread diseases to others in their classrooms and community – including babies who are too young to be fully vaccinated, and people with weakened immune systems due to cancer or other health conditions.

Talk to the family medical provider to find out which vaccines are recommended for children before going back to school. Parents can find out more about the recommended vaccines at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/, their medical provider or their local public health department.