While staying in my childhood bedroom on a recent trip my parents’ house, I came across something unexpected: my childhood immunization record. Tucked in with some old board games and school reports, this little piece of paper brought feelings of gratitude, nostalgia, and connection with the work I’ve chosen to do in public health. Each checkmark reminded me of the care behind it: parents, clinicians, and public health professionals all doing their part to keep me — and others — healthy. It’s a quiet but powerful reminder that vaccination is not just personal. It’s a community promise. A simple act that protects us and those around us from preventable illness. As we gear up for a new school year, now is the time to check vaccine records for your kids (and yourself). Back-to-school isn’t just about supplies — it’s about protection, preparedness, and prevention. Have questions or seeking guides for talking about vaccination? Check out our toolkit here: https://lnkd.in/ewS2kG6m Let’s make sure we’re sending students back to class healthy and ready to thrive. ✅ Schedule those well-child visits ✅ Catch up on missed vaccines ✅ Keep records up to date #WeAreNCPublicHealth
As a retired physician I recently applied to volunteer at a community hospital residency program. I had to show proof of vaccination. Washington State had them all on the state data base. That's public health in action.
You bring up an excellent point I try to make to those resistant to vaccines: “It’s a quiet but powerful reminder that vaccination is not just personal. It’s a community promise. A simple act that protects us and those around us from preventable illness.” Vaccines aren’t just for us, they’re for those around us with both visible and “invisible” diseases. You never know what the person standing next to you in line may have, that you may be risking.
Yeah but don't give them an mRNA vaccine.
Thanks for sharing, and kudos to your parents for saving this record. While applying to graduate school (UTHealth), I had no such record. Titers indicated low immunity to several of the vaccines I received as a child (per my mom's recollection). I got several vaccines (again) in 2020. If anyone has uncertainly about their childhood vaccines, it is worth checking and protecting yourself, your family, and your community.
Thank you for reminding me that I am on the right side of medicine, science, and responsibility. ❤️
My mom carried my vaccine record in her wallet her entire life and it came in handy during medical school when I could quick call her up and find out when I got each vaccine. Vaccines cause adults
Georgia’s GRITS system of modernity is a fantastic immunization registry (and was supremely helpful when our first pediatrician lost some of the girls’ records)
Mr. Moore, it’s truly a helpful perspective “Vaccination is not just personal. It’s a community promise…” Having a vaccine also benefits the whole community through "herd immunity". If enough people are vaccinated, it's harder for the pathogens to spread to those people who cannot have vaccines. Such as, people who are ill or have a weakened immune system.
Thank you for sharing this! A personal and powerful reminder.
Nice. As the child of a pediatrician, I’m fairly certain I didn’t have that kind of record. 🤣 Also, did you get the second MMR shot ?