Why You Should Get Vaccinated
Why You Should Get Vaccinated
Chickenpox, measles, mumps, yellow fever, hepatitis, shingles, and the flu are illnesses and diseases people very often get vaccinated for, and with news of a potential COVID-19 vaccine on the horizon, here is some information on what you can expect from these vaccines.
Mortality due to vaccine-preventable diseases is at an all-time low. Several diseases, including smallpox and polio have been nearly eradicated in North America as a result of this. During the last decade, there has been increasing concerns surrounding vaccines, leading many people to believe common misconceptions such as vaccinations causing autism.
Vaccines tend to start with young children and could be vital in protecting children from a variety of serious or potentially fatal diseases, including diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, and more. The following are some frequently asked questions about youth vaccinations: 
- Q: Is natural immunity better than a vaccination?
- A: Natural infections could provide better immunity than a vaccination, however it comes with serious risks. Some cases of small illnesses could cause serious problems; chickenpox could cause pneumonia, polio could lead to permanent paralysis, and many more. Vaccinations can help prevent these diseases and their complications.
- Q: Do vaccines cause autism?
- A: Despite much controversy surrounding the topic, researchers have found no connection between autism and childhood vaccines. The original study igniting the debate many years ago has been retracted.
- Q: Are vaccine side effects dangerous?
- A: All vaccines can cause side effects, albeit usually minor such as a low-grade fever, fussiness, soreness, headaches, fatigue, or loss of appetite. It is very rare that more severe side effects will occur. Although these side effects are a concern, the risk involved is extremely small which outweighs the risk of getting the disease or illness.
- Q: Why are vaccines given so early?
- A: Many of the childhood vaccines prevent are most likely to occur when a child is young, at a time when if they get the disease it could cause serious complications. Postponing vaccines until an older age can result in this being too late and the child already has the disease.
- Q: Is it OK to pick and choose vaccines?
- A: Skipping out on vaccines can potentially leave your child vulnerable to many potentially serious diseases which could otherwise be avoided.
It is a common misconception that adults do not need to worry about vaccines anymore, they can still be essential to adult healthy living. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccines for adults based on age, prior vaccinations, health, lifestyle, travel destinations and sexual activity. If you are not sure if you have been given all the necessary vaccinations, you can talk to your caregivers who might know, check with your doctors’ office as well as previous doctors’, or contact your health department to see if they have a registry. If none of these methods work, you can get a blood test to see if you are immune to certain diseases. Adult vaccines to consider include:
- Flu (influenza) vaccine: The CDC recommends annual flu vaccinations for everyone with an age of 6 months or older
- Pneumococcal vaccine: The CDC recommends the pneumococcal vaccines for adults age 65 and older. Pneumococcal disease causes infections, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. Younger adults at an increased risk for pneumococcal disease might also need a dose of the vaccine.
- Tetanus, toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: One dose of the Tdap vaccine is routinely given at age 11 or 12. If you have never had this vaccine, the CDC recommends getting the vaccination as soon as possible. One dose of this vaccine is also recommended during each pregnancy, ideally between the 27th and 36th week. Tdap can protect you from tetanus, whooping cough, and diphtheria, which can all lead to breathing problems. In addition, a booster shot is recommended every 10 years.
- Shingles: The CDC recommends the vaccine Shingrix for healthy adults above the age of 50 to prevent shingles. It is given in two doses, in contrast with the Zostavax vaccine, which is a one dose injection to healthy adults age 60 and older.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV): The CDC recommends this vaccine between the ages of 11 and 12. Teens and young adults who begin the vaccination series later, between the ages of 15 and 26, should continue to receive three doses of the vaccine.
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The material in this blog was sourced from: mayoclinic.org; travel.gc.ca; cdc.gov/travel. It is intended for information purposes only and should not be used in place of consultation with a healthcare professional. Participating retailers/pharmacies, vendors, and/or agencies are not responsible for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies with respect to the information contained in this flyer and do not accept liability whatsoever for reliance by the reader on the information contained herein.