WHY GET VACCINATED?
Vaccines can prevent outbreaks of disease and save lives - for our whole community! You can help save lives, simply by getting and staying immunized.
Like putting on a suit of armor before a fight, a vaccine helps to build your body’s defenses (strengthening your immune system) against viruses and bacteria.
DID YOU KNOW VACCINES PREVENT...?
We bet some of the diseases below you’ve never even heard of - and that’s because of vaccines. To learn more about the diseases that you can almost forget about because of vaccines, check out this CDC info page.
Vaccines help prevent:
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Minor side effects are normal. Depending on the vaccine, the side effects could include: slight fever, rash, or soreness at the area of injection. Ask your provider what you should expect!
BABIES & CHILDREN
Children under 5 are still building their immune systems. They can get illnesses and diseases easier. By immunizing on time (by age 2), you can protect your child from disease and protect others at school or daycare.
Worried about your baby’s or child’s tears? Talk with your provider about how to comfort her when she gets vaccines.
For a schedule of vaccines by age, click here.
PRE-TEENS & TEENS
Pre-teens and teens may be in no mood to hear it, but they need vaccines too. In particular, they should get vaccinated against:
- Flu
- HPV
- meningococcal conjugate vaccine
- TDap
Parents may wonder why human papilloma virus vaccine is important. HPV is a very common infection and HPV infection can cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women and penile cancer in men. HPV can also cause anal cancer, throat cancer, and genital warts in both men and women.
For a schedule of vaccines needed by age, click here.
PREGNANCY
CDC has guidelines for the vaccines you need before, during, and after pregnancy. For example, it's okay to have a flu shot anytime - before, during, or after pregnancy - if needed.
- Before pregnancy: mumps, measles, & rubella (or MMR)
- During pregnancy: Tdap vaccine to protect against whooping cough
- After giving birth/while breastfeeding: it's okay to receive vaccines you may need during this time.
Be sure to discuss each vaccine with your provider before getting vaccinated.
ADULTS NEED A BOOST, TOO
Believe it or not, your immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off, recommendations can change over the years, new vaccines may be available, and your risks may change as you get older.
What you need depends on your age, lifestyle, health, prior immunizations, and if you travel abroad. Some of the reccomended vaccines include:
- Seasonal influenza (flu) for all adults
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) for all adults who have not previously received a Tdap vaccine
- Shingles for adults 60 years and older
- Pneumococcal for adults 65 years and older and adults with risk conditions
- Hepatitis B for adults who have diabetes or are at risk
- Other vaccinations you may need include those that protect against HPV (human papillomavirus, which can cause certain cancers), hepatitis A, meningococcal disease, chickenpox (varicella), and measles, mumps, and rubella.
Be sure to talk with your provider about vaccines at your next appointment!
Remember: nothing you read here should replace the advice and prescribed treatments given to you by your health care providers.
