Immunization Awareness Month

Did you know that you still need vaccines well beyond your elementary days? Vaccines still play an important role in your long-term health plan to maximize your “health span.” The CDC advises adults that there are three main reasons why keeping up with your vaccines is beneficial.

1. You may be at risk for serious diseases that are still common in the U.S.

Each year thousands of adults in the United States get sick from diseases that could be prevented by vaccines — some people are hospitalized, and some even die. Even if you got all your vaccines as a child, the protection from some vaccines can wear off over time. You may also be at risk for other diseases due to your age, job, lifestyle, travel, or health conditions.

2. You can’t afford to risk getting sick.

Even healthy people can get sick enough to miss work or school. If you’re sick, you may not be able to take care of your family or other responsibilities.

3. You can protect your health and the health of those around you by getting the recommended vaccines.

Vaccines lower your chance of getting sick. Vaccines work with your body’s natural defense to lower the chances of getting certain diseases as well as suffering complications from these diseases.

Vaccines lower your chance of spreading certain diseases. There are many things you want to pass on to your loved ones; a vaccine preventable disease is not one of them. Infants, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems (like those undergoing cancer treatment) are especially vulnerable to vaccine preventable diseases.

Vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect your health. Vaccine side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. Severe side effects are very rare.*

*adapted from CDC.org

At RHS, we are happy to offer seasonal flu vaccines for our patients’ convenience at a nominal cost. Please contact our office if you have any questions about your vaccination status.