Now is a great time to get up to date on your immunizations! Are you unsure which vaccines you or your children need? The CDC immunization schedules are super helpful in determining which ones are recommended according to your age and other health factors. But why are they so important and exactly what are the benefits of immunizations? Keep reading to find out!
Benefits of Immunizations
Immunizations are a simple and effective tool for maintaining your health. Not only are they safe, but they also provide many benefits:
Benefit #1: vaccines protect you against disease.
A vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent you from getting sick. They provide immune system support and assist your body in preparing to fight off infections. Skipping routine vaccinations leaves you more susceptible to preventable diseases and illnesses.
Benefit #2: vaccines reduce the spread of disease in the community.
Besides keeping yourself protected, staying up to date with vaccinations can also protect those around you. You may not get sick, but you could still spread the disease to someone nearby. Immunizations reduce that risk, and your decision to be vaccinated helps to protect those who can’t get immunized themselves, such as newborns and those with weakened immune systems.
Benefit #3: vaccines are cost-saving.
Vaccination saves lives, and it also saves money. Think of the doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and medication costs associated with being diagnosed and treated for an illness, not to mention the work or school missed from being sick. All those things add up and directly impact families and communities, even on the national level.
Reasons You Should Get Vaccinated
As you can see, the benefits of immunizations prove how important it is to be vaccinated to protect yourself and your community. Here are a few more reasons to get the recommended vaccines each year:
Reason #1: Preventable diseases still cause many deaths.
While diseases like measles are not as common, there are still plenty of preventable diseases that are responsible for deaths in the U.S. and around the world. Many have not been eradicated and could spread if left unprotected by immunizations.
Reason #2: The spread of disease is affected by global travel.
A big factor concerning the spread of disease is the ability to travel globally. You can visit another country or region with relative ease, and that allows for the potential of a higher risk for spreading disease. Many countries require you to show proof of certain travel vaccines, but it’s always a good idea to maintain your vaccinations even when traveling locally as well as longer distances.
Reason #3: Vaccines are one of the best forms of preventative medicine
You may not think you need a vaccine since you are relatively young and healthy, but that is simply not true. Viruses and infections can strike anyone at any time, so receiving immunizations is a preventative approach to staying healthy. Plus, you’ll be lowering the risk of the elderly and young children in the community from getting sick!
Immunizations at Cody Drug in Sulphur Springs, TX
Keeping you and your loved ones safe and healthy is easy when you get your vaccines at a local pharmacy. We offer a variety of immunizations, including the seasonal flu vaccine, Boostrix (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis), Engerix (Hepatitis-B), Menomune (Meningitis), Pneumovax (Pneumonia), Zostavax (Shingles), and more. Call us to ensure the availability of our vaccines before stopping in, and our pharmacists will be happy to help you set up a time to administer your immunizations.
We hope this information has been helping in answering the question– what are the benefits of immunizations? Reach out to us today to make an appointment to get the whole family vaccinated!