The importance of vaccines

Patient getting a vaccine

Before the 新型冠状病毒肺炎 pandemic, few generations understood the life-changing effects of vaccination. During the past 50 years, most children who received vaccines as part of their preventative healthcare didn’t witness the diseases they were being protected from, 像天花, 风疹和小儿麻痹症.

Today, people have had a front-row seat to the benefits of vaccines. "The 新型冠状病毒肺炎 vaccination is a major triumph against a disease that has a devastating impact," says 彼得·赖特,医学博士, Infectious Disease and International 健康 specialist at 十大网赌平台推荐卫生 Children's.

Vaccinations serve two purposes—to protect the individual, and to limit the spread of infection within a population. When a large number of the population is vaccinated, the spread of viruses and bacteria can be interrupted. This helps establish "herd immunity," when a virus loses its effectiveness because the majority of the population is protected against it. Therefore, in protecting ourselves, we protect our community.

推荐的疫苗

Infants under the age of 2 and childhood boosters:

  • 百日咳
  • 破伤风
  • 白喉
  • 麻疹
  • 流行性腮腺炎
  • 风疹
  • 小儿麻痹症
  • 轮状病毒
  • 水痘
  • 嗜血杆菌流感嗜血杆菌
  • 肺炎球菌
  • 甲型和乙型肝炎
  • 流感 – on an annual basis throughout childhood
  • COVID 19 – available for children 6 months and up

11岁及以上:

  • 脑膜炎球菌
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Adults should vaccinate themselves against the following:

  • 流感 (季节)
  • 新型冠状病毒肺炎
  • 肺炎球菌
  • 带状疱疹
  • 破伤风<
  • 百日咳
  • RSV

Additional vaccines may be recommended depending on a person's specific health condition, occupation or travel plans. 参观 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about vaccines.

Vaccines are safe and the most effective tool in preventing disease. "Vaccines have a tremendous safety record. Their use has successfully eliminated diseases like measles, 风疹, 水痘, 小儿麻痹症, diphtheria and whooping cough,赖特说。. "People should trust the scientific and regulatory work that goes into developing and using them."

Today's vaccines are given to prevent more than just viral infections. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects individuals from the virus and is the only vaccine that protects against cervical cancer in females and penile or rectal cancer in males.

"There are exciting developments and adaptations in the science that's been used in creating the 新型冠状病毒肺炎 vaccines that will help improve and advance the capabilities of future vaccines,赖特说。.

Despite the safety and success of vaccination, the global rate of vaccination is declining in part due to the 新型冠状病毒肺炎 pandemic. Access to care, remote schooling and misinformation all contributed to this drop.

Vaccines and preventative care

A key partner in ensuring you and your family are up to date on all your vaccinations is your primary care provider. 马修·马克伍德,医学博士, a primary care provider at Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Heater Road, teaches medical students about patients and vaccine hesitancy. "Vaccines are one of—if not—the single most beneficial public health preventive measures we've ever invented,马克伍德说。. "So it is one of the most important choices I discuss with my patients."

Vaccines are a standard practice during pediatric visits, 但是到了成年期, vaccinations can often be overlooked. Mackwood suggests that routine physical appointments are the perfect time to discuss with your provider which immunizations you may need with your provider.

"病人 should discuss any questions they have about immunizations (or vaccines, whichever you want to choose) with their primary care provider. Having an established relationship matters a lot in these conversations,马克伍德说。. "Science can be hard to understand, especially when guidance is constantly changing and there is a lot of misinformation. Having your concerns addressed by someone you trust and who knows your history and beliefs is essential."

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