Six Things YOU Need to Know about Vaccines

1. Vaccines are essential for all of us throughout our lives to help protect us from serious diseases.

Every year, tens of thousands of people in the United States fall ill with illnesses that could be avoided with vaccines; some are hospitalized, and some even die. Our best defense against these diseases is vaccination. Vaccines are recommended for children, youth, and adults based on a variety of factors such as age, health, lifestyle, jobs, and travel. Every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other medical experts update vaccine guidelines based on the most recent research and science. Vaccination is an important step in protecting those that are most vulnerable to disease, such as babies and young children, the elderly, and those who have chronic illnesses or have compromised immune systems.

2. Vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks can and do occur in communities throughout the United States.

Infectious diseases that once often harmed or killed many babies, children, and adults have been significantly reduced thanks to vaccines. Vaccine-preventable disease germs, on the other hand, also exist and can spread to people who aren't covered by vaccines.

Even though measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, it is still prevalent in other countries. Unvaccinated travelers who contracted measles while traveling have since spread the disease to others in the United States, resulting in a number of outbreaks in recent years.

Vaccination is vital because it protects not only the individual who receives the vaccine, but it also helps to prevent diseases from spreading to those in your community, such as family members, friends, classmates, and others.

3. The CDC and FDA take several measures to ensure that vaccines are extremely safe.

Before a vaccine is approved for use in the United States, it undergoes extensive testing to ensure that it is both safe and reliable. The findings of these clinical trials are evaluated by highly qualified scientists and doctors at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA also inspects vaccine manufacturing facilities to ensure that they adhere to strict manufacturing standards. Following the approval of a vaccine, the FDA and the CDC continue to track its use to ensure that there are no safety issues.

Vaccines, like any other drug, can have side effects. Most side effects are minor (e.g., soreness where the shot was given) and disappear after a few days. Vaccines may have severe, long-term side effects.

4. Vaccines give you the ability to keep your children healthy.

Immunization has had a significant effect on children's health in the United States. Most modern parents have never witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of vaccine-preventable diseases on an infant, a family, or a society. It is important to safeguard your child's health and safety. That's why most parents opt for immunization: it's a strong, secure, and successful defense.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways for parents to protect their children and teenagers from 16 potentially fatal diseases. Vaccine-preventable diseases, particularly in infants and young children, may be very dangerous, necessitating hospitalization or even death. Visit our parents' page and speak with your doctor to see if your child is up to date.

5. You can also ensure that your baby is protected from the start by getting vaccinated while pregnant.

You're probably aware that you share something with your baby while you're pregnant. That means that getting vaccinated not only protects you, but it also protects your baby in the first few months of life, when they are too young to develop immunity on their own. To protect yourself and your growing infant, the CDC suggests getting whooping cough and flu vaccines during each pregnancy. Visit our maternal vaccination page for more details, and speak to your doctor at your next appointment.

6. Vaccines are not just for children. Adults may benefit from them as well, particularly if they have health issues.

Even if you received all of your vaccinations as an infant, some vaccines' safety will wear off over time. Due to your age, work, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions, you can be at risk for other diseases. Adults with chronic conditions such as asthma/COPD, heart disease, and diabetes are more likely to develop complications. Vaccination is an essential part of maintaining one's well being. Sickness is unpleasant at any age, but for adults, it can mean high medical costs, missed jobs, and inability to care for family members.

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