Got Shots? They Aren’t Just for Kids

As many Pennsylvanians send their children back to school, we’re all reminded about the importance of immunizations. We often prioritize them for our children, but forget to stay up-to-date ourselves.

By staying up-to-date on recommended immunizations, you protect yourself, your family, friends and your community from serious, life-threatening infections. Yes, most immunizations are administered during early childhood, but others are recommended during adolescent or adult years and some require boosters throughout your life.

We’ve all seen how quickly bacteria and/or a virus can spread after the recent H1N1 outbreak. Vaccines save lives. They’ve eradicated smallpox, eliminated polio in our country and significantly reduced the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, whooping cough, and other diseases.

Worried about the safety of some vaccines? Medical evidence has proven that the risk of disease is higher than the risk of adverse effects from immunizations. Some parents fear that there is a link between autism and vaccines. So far, no scientific evidence has supported this concern, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Vaccines are tested and studied for as much as 10 years before they are made available to the general public, and most side effects are mild—swelling, redness, and tenderness at the injection site. As with any medication, vaccines can cause some side effects, or allergic reactions, in small numbers of people.

Your doctor can address any concerns you might have. And please make sure that you and those around you are up-to-date.
Last Updated: 8/20/2009
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