Immunizations, or vaccinations, are shots that protect you from contracting certain diseases and conditions.

Essentially, an immunization introduces a dead form of a virus or bacteria to your body so that your immune system recognizes it and can eliminate it from your body quickly if you come into contact with it in the future.

Immunizations don’t just keep you, an individual, healthy: they protect the whole population from illnesses that once threatened the lives of many people. When the majority of the population is immunized, a disease can be eradicated almost entirely.

Are immunizations safe?

There is a lot of misinformation going around about the safety of immunizations. While some vaccination shots come with mild side effects like redness, swelling, or fatigue; it’s important to note that the immunizations keep you safe from illnesses that are far worse than any of their potential side effects.

When you get immunizations, you’re protecting your own life and the lives of those around you. They go through many tests and approvals to ensure their safety and effectiveness before being made available to the public.

What immunizations should I get?

There are many immunizations that aren’t only important to your health but are essential to keep the population safe from certain conditions.

You must get many of them as an infant or child and keep up on others throughout your life. During infancy or early childhood, you should get immunizations for:

• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Chickenpox
• Rotavirus
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
• Hepatitis A and B

As an adult or as needed, you should get immunizations for:

• Pneumonia
• Tetanus
• Yellow fever
• Viral hepatitis
• Meningitis

Additionally, you and your child should get a flu shot every year starting at six months of age. The flu shot changes from year to year, so it’s important that you don’t miss it.

If you’re unsure whether or not you or your child needs a certain immunization, your doctor can help you decide which ones will be beneficial.

To make sure that you and your child are up-to-date on immunizations, call Valley View Wellness Medical Center or go online to book your appointment today.