Summer 2019 Individual and Family Newsletter

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the newest issue of Health Matters. It’s summer, which  means plenty of time outdoors and  vacations. In this issue, we included information about staying safe this summer, emergency preparedness, and Family Health and Fitness Day (June 8). We also included information about PTSD in honor of PTSD Awareness Month (June). This issue’s recipe is homemade hamburger buns - great for summer cook outs. If you ever have any questions, please call Member Services at 844.282.3025 or go to christushealthplan.org. Nothing means more to us than knowing we’ve helped make our members’ lives better. 

In good health,

Nancy Horstmann
Chief Executive Officer
CHRISTUS Health Plan

 
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Vaccinate Your Preteen This Summer

Because most preteens get their shots in the month of August before school begins, it can be difficult to get in to see your child’s doctor or nurse. Make an appointment to get your child vaccinated earlier this summer and beat the back-to-school rush. Vaccines help protect your preteen, as well as their friends and family members, from serious illness.

Boys and girls should get the following vaccines at age 11 or 12 years:

  • HPV Vaccine helps protect against HPV infections that cause cancer. All boys and girls should get 2 doses before they turn 13 years old. Children who start the vaccine series on or after their 15th birthday need 3 doses to get complete protection.
  • Meningococcal conjugate vaccine protects against 4 types of Neisseria meningitidis bacteria. These bacteria can cause infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (septicemia). Teens should get a booster dose of this vaccine at 16 years old.
  • Tdap vaccine provides a booster to continue protection from childhood against 3 serious diseases: tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (also called whooping cough). Preteens and teens should also get a flu vaccine every year. The flu can be serious at any age.
 

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