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Stay Up to Date with Your Immunizations: A Year-Round Priority

By Job P. LarsonMD

Vaccinations are a vital part of maintaining good health for you, your family, and your community. No matter the season, it’s always a good time to check in with your healthcare provider to ensure your vaccines, and those of your family, are current.

Whether it’s the start of a new school year, before travel, or as we head into colder months with increased respiratory infections, staying up to date with immunizations helps keep you and those around you protected. In addition to good hygiene and handwashing, vaccines remain one of our best tools in preventing the spread of disease.

A common question people ask is: “If I’m healthy and don’t take medications, do I really need vaccines?” The answer is yes. Even those in good health can become seriously ill from infections. Additionally, some diseases can cause long-term complications. For example, shingles is a painful condition that can occur years after a childhood infection with chickenpox. Another example is the HPV virus, which can lay dormant and later increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

Vaccines work best when more people are vaccinated. This helps create herd immunity, protecting those who are most vulnerable—such as individuals who may not be able to get vaccinated due to certain health conditions. By staying up to date with your immunizations, you’re not only protecting yourself but also helping safeguard your community.

If you have concerns or questions about vaccinations, your healthcare provider is a great resource. With so much conflicting information online, it’s important to rely on trusted professionals to provide accurate and helpful advice.

For more information, check out these reliable resources:

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