August is National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) and a time to think about the importance of being vaccinated in order to keep our communities safe and healthy.

At Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ, we place great emphasis on the importance of vaccinations to protect our residents and program participants. As we age, our immune systems become weakened, thus making it harder to fight off illness and disease such as pneumonia and the flu. Complications from these illnesses can be deadly especially to those with compromised immune systems such as the elderly, infants and people with ongoing medical conditions.

Getting the recommended vaccinations each year is the best way to build up immunity and ward off viruses and bacteria that have the potential to make you very sick.

At each of our senior communities including, Crane’s Mill, Lutheran Crossings, The Villa at Florham Park and Lutheran Senior LIFE, we take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of these germs by ensuring everyone has access to immunizations. All residents are offered the Pneumovax as well as the flu vaccine in preparation for the flu season each year.

We provide our residents, or their legal representative, with information regarding the risks and benefits of the influenza vaccine along with the potential side effects. Additionally, each new resident is assessed for the eligibility to receive the pneumococcal vaccine and is offered, if eligible, to receive within 30 days of admission.

At Lutheran Social Ministries of NJ, the health and happiness of those we serve is the most important part of our mission. From emotional to spiritual and physical wellbeing, we encourage our residents to feel fulfilled in all areas of wellness. For more information about the importance of immunization contact, Cynthia A. Mackalonis, RN-BC, CLNC, LNHA, VP of Clinical Services for LSMNJ at 609-699-4112.