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Family
wellness
Vaccines
A
healthy
choice for all ages
Q
Why should my whole family be
immunized?
A
Vaccinating infants protects them from 14 serious
childhood diseases, including life-threatening
ones, like diphtheria and whooping cough. Making sure
preteens get the full series of HPV shots can help lower
their risk for certain cancers later in life. And older
adults need protection from illnesses like pneumonia
and shingles.
But vaccines don’t just keep your family from getting
sick. They help protect the community too.
Q
How does vaccinating my family
protect the community?
A
Immunizing enough people can break a disease’s
chain of transmission. That means there’s less
chance for unvaccinated people to get sick. It also helps
protect those who are vulnerable, such as newborns before
they receive all of their shots, pregnant women, and
individuals being treated for cancer.
This group protection is sometimes called
herd
immunity
—but I like the term
community immunity
.
Q
What are some vaccines I might need
as an adult?
A
Your annual flu shot, for sure. Your provider might
also recommend shots for:
■ ■
Hepatitis A and B
■
Pneumonia
■
Shingles
■ ■
Tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough
If you’re going abroad, you may need other shots.
Q
I’m hesitant to have my kids
vaccinated. Are vaccines really safe?
A
Absolutely! All vaccines are thoroughly tested. And
their benefits—including saving lives—far outweigh
what, for most people, are minimal risks.
YOU P ROBAB LY HEAR
this all the time: Kids need vaccines.
That’s excellent advice—but children aren’t the only ones in the family who benefit from potentially life-saving shots.
“Staying up to date on vaccines is one of the quickest, easiest, and best ways to help people of all ages protect their
health,” says Lisa Doherty, MD.
Here, Dr. Doherty answers questions about vaccines—and explains why they’re important for everyone, from babies and
teens to middle-aged adults and retirees.
Visit
www.peacehealth.org/flushotto find
out about flu shots for the entire family.
Lisa Doherty, MD
Family Medicine
PeaceHealth Medical Group –
Family Medicine
1615 Delaware St.
Longview, WA
360-414-2385
Fight
the flu,
family-style
Families come in all shapes
and sizes. But here’s how
they’re all alike: In every
family, every person
6 months or older needs a
flu shot—every year. The flu
vaccine is the most effective
way to help prevent the flu.
Seasonal flu protection
actually comes in two
forms: a shot and a nasal
spray. Ask your doctor
which one is right for each
member of your clan.
Because viruses that
cause the flu are constantly
changing, the vaccine is
sometimes updated annually
to match the current viruses.
So get your family vaccinated
this year and every year.
4
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