Vaccination Needs Throughout Your Lifetime
Vaccines are recommended by health care professionals to prevent disease in people of all ages. They are an important part of keeping communities healthy. Vaccines prepare our bodies to fight off serious diseases effectively. Without vaccines, preventable diseases may cause serious illness, complications, and may spread to others.
How long do vaccines last?
Vaccines provide protection for a long time, sometimes life-long. However, each vaccine is different, and some are recommended for you to receive more frequently to provide ongoing protection.
What is a booster shot?
For some vaccines, the protection against germs may slowly decrease over time, and therefore, another shot (booster shot) may need to be given. This additional dose “boosts” the immune system to create antibodies to the disease and extends the protection.
Why are some needed yearly?
Other diseases, such as influenza or COVID-19, may have slight changes in the virus over time. Therefore, a change in vaccines is needed to provide optimal protection against the current virus. You should get the most recent shot each year.
Why are vaccines given to babies and children?
Babies have some immunity at birth from their mother for a few weeks. They also receive additional immunity by breastfeeding in the early weeks. As their immune systems develop, vaccines will help them to develop protection against serious diseases, beginning at around two months of age. Without this protection, children may get seriously ill.
As a child grows, additional vaccines are needed based on how your child’s immune system responds to vaccines at various ages and how likely your child is to be exposed to a particular disease. It is important for your child to receive these vaccines on schedule and as advised by their doctor.
Why are vaccines given to adults, and especially older adults?
Adults also need to keep their vaccinations up to date because immunity from childhood vaccines can wear off over time. Older adults also need protection against diseases that are more common as people age, such as shingles or pneumonia.
Adults may need other vaccines based on age, health conditions, job, lifestyle, or travel habits. Talk to your doctor about what other vaccines may be recommended for you and when you should receive them.
Summary
Vaccines protect the body from a specific disease by causing a response from the immune system. While vaccines provide long-lasting protection, multiple doses or booster doses may be required for the best protection. Vaccines are important for decreasing illness and complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines also prevent diseases from being spread to others in the community. Vaccines are particularly important for babies and young children, since they are not born with the ability to fight off all germs on their own.