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Over the last few years, the word vaccine has been the source of many discussions at the water cooler or the dinner table. Much of those discussions centered around the COVID-19 vaccine and whether or not people should get vaccinated or whether the vaccine is effective.

However, vaccinations are not new, and schools require specific types of vaccinations before allowing children to enroll in classes.

Every August, the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) sponsors National Immunization Awareness Month in the United States.

There are four key messages the NPHIC wishes to get across during the month:

• Vaccines protect against serious diseases.
• These diseases still exist and outbreaks do occur.
• Vaccines are recommended throughout our lives.
• Vaccines are very safe.

Somehow in a lot of circles this has become a political debate, when it really should be about scientific evidence.

Scientists and medical professionals — people from all around the world, some who probably don’t know the difference in a Republican and a Democrat — agree that vaccines are safe. However, the voice of anti-vaxxers has led to a growing number of people becoming vaccinated, and — perhaps not surprisingly — there has been a distinct correlation to the increase in the number of people affected by disease.

No matter where you stand on this issue, we urge everyone to research immunizations and speak to your family physician and make sound, informed decisions.