Staying healthy is largely dependent on a healthy lifestyle. There are some things, though, that require a boost in your normal state of health and your body’s ability to fight against certain illnesses that come your way. Getting the right vaccinations can help prevent a number of diseases.

Vaccinations for Children

Children are required to get certain vaccines prior to attending school. Different ones will be recommended as they attain certain ages, and health records will record the date and place each one was received.

Some of these vaccines will need to be given to children more than one time. Vaccines needed before the age of seven include rotavirus, DTap, Hib, IPV, Varicella, HepA, MMR, and more.

Vaccines for Ages 7-18

In the next few years of their life, a young person will need to receive several more vaccines, and a repeat of some of the earlier ones. They will need to get a flu shot, tetanus, diptheria, pertussis, meningitis, pneumonia, measles, and more.

As an adult, several vaccines may be needed to either boost your immunity, or to help your body fight new problems. These shots include tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, pneumococcal, meningococcal, hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Other vaccines can be given as needed. Flu shots can be given annually and they will be helpful to fight against the current flu strains. A tetanus shot should be obtained every ten years. Older adults may also want to get a shingles vaccination, and a pneumonia vaccine.

Benefits of a Vaccine

History has proven, as in the case of polio, that vaccinating a large number of people can prevent the disease from infecting a population. While polio crippled many people before the vaccine was available, it no longer exists in the United States.

Vaccines are often very helpful among people who live close together, such as in colleges, the military, and nursing homes. In those conditions, disease can spread fast.

Seniors can be especially susceptible to many diseases, often because they have weakened immune systems. It is important to not only ensure that they are properly vaccinated, but also to ensure that their caregivers are also vaccinated. Diseases such as the flu and pneumonia can often be deadly in people with lowered ability to fight disease. Shots for the flu can be obtained annually.

Vaccines for Travelers

Going to another country will often require that you obtain some vaccines. This is because you will likely encounter certain diseases that are not common in the United States – and therefore have no natural immunity against them. Getting a vaccination for specific diseases will not only help to minimize the effects if you are exposed to it, but it can also help prevent you from spreading it to others when you return. These shots may include Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, rabies, and meningitis.

The Silver Star Urgent Care center offers all vaccinations needed for children and adults, as well as for travelers.