Why Are Vaccines Important?
January 29, 2020 24 Comments
Why are vaccines important? Vaccines are considered one of the biggest medical breakthrough of our age.
What if I told you that there was a land with rainbows and no illness? That destination would be created with vaccines. Of course, that place doesn’t exist - yet. I mean look at what you can vaccinate against now - cancer (via Human Papilloma Virus), Hepatitis, Shingles, the FLU! I mean these are incredible tools to keep us healthy.
Why am I talking about vaccines?
Earlier in the month, I posted 48 words from a doctor on how to get healthy. The first two words are "Don't Smoke." The second two words are “Get Vaccinated”.
This led me to thinking about my own vaccination record. Sure, I had made sure my kids got their shots. I will never forget the look on my baby boy’s face when he was vaccinated. He was all happy and smiling at the nurse and then, “WaaaaaaaaAAAAAHHHH!” He was horrified! He screamed all the way to the car and then got distracted by a dog on the sidewalk.
I know it is not fun. Who wants a needle near them? But, the risks from vaccines are far less than the risks of getting the diseases they prevent against.
As you get older, you might think that you are done with vaccines (as I did). But, guess what? I am traveling to Indonesia in the summer (Hepatitis A & B are recommended) and there is a new Shingles vaccine for people over 50. No, I am not done with vaccinations.
What about the flu vaccine that is promoted every year? Do you make sure you get it? You can still get it (even though it is the end of January) and it can be beneficial says the CDC Flu Vaccine Facts page.
From You are Unvaccinated and Got Sick. These Are Your Odds:
The 2017-18 influenza epidemic was an especially bad one, resulting in an estimated 45 million illnesses nationwide, according to the C.D.C.
An estimated 810,000 people were hospitalized and 61,000 people died, including 643 children. The majority of children who die from influenza have not received the flu vaccine.
I get the flu vaccine every year because it means that I am protected from all kinds of flu viruses. Every year, scientists make their best guess what the flu season is going to serve up and they create the flu vaccine.
This flu vaccine is a mix of dead viruses that your immune system will now know how to destroy before you get the flu. Isn’t that amazing? If you get the vaccine year after year, you are getting more and more possible immunity for all the flu viruses that might come along.
I mean vaccines are important to your health! My advice is to stop worrying about the cheesecake you ate last night and get yourself to your health provider and ask if your vaccinations are up to date.
Have you been lagging on your vaccinations? What is holding you back? Can I drive you to the doctor?
Other posts you might like:
A Simple List for How to Get Healthy
I saw this list of 48 words posted by a Canadian doctor and I was inspired.....
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