Understand the importance of vaccinations
When you’re a kid, one of the least favorite parts about visiting your primary care provider for a checkup is the possibility of getting a vaccine. While not all adults are fans either, vaccines play a large part in protecting the body by strengthening your immunity.
Over the course of a person’s lifetime, they will be vaccinated against over 16 diseases. Vaccines and immunizations are used interchangeably to refer to the process in which a person becomes protected against a disease. They are crucial part against limiting the spread and growth of diseases.
Kevin Hughes, MD
“An immunization simulates the body to act like it has been exposed to the disease,” said Kevin Hughes, MD, a primary care physician with LMH Health Primary Care - Baldwin City. “They are trying to present a form of the virus or bacteria, also known as an antigen, so the immune system responds to and creates a memory of it.”
When the antigen enters the blood stream, the body’s immune system responds by alerting certain types of white blood cells. The white blood cells then make antibodies to attack the antigen and train your cells how to fight it off and prevent its spread. Your body’s immune system is the first and best line of defense when you are exposed to a virus or a disease.
Personal and community benefits
While vaccines work to prevent the spread of disease, it does not always mean that vaccinated people won’t become infected. If you are vaccinated and do fall ill, your body is able to fight off the infection more quickly and with less severe symptoms.
Stopping the spread of disease and virus is the easiest way to protect a community’s health. Community immunity occurs when a large portion of the community has a strengthened immunity to a disease, either through vaccination or exposure, which then limits the spread. The less a disease is able to spread, the lower its chances are to evolve and become more aggressive. In certain cases, diseases like polio, mumps and measles have been virtually eradicated from the United States with the help of vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that due to widespread polio vaccination in the US, there hasn’t been a case of wild polio in the country since 1979. Reported cases of the mumps decreased by 99% after the mumps vaccination program began in 1967, and cases of the measles continue to dwindle with less than 200 reported nationwide since the beginning of 2020.
“There are a lot of benefits to being vaccinated,” stated Dr. Hughes. “Vaccines are a preventative for disease and the more people who are vaccinated means that less chance people in their community can get it.”
Chickenpox used to be extremely common in the United States until a successful vaccine came along. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), two doses of the chickenpox vaccine are over 90% effective at preventing the disease. Those who do get chickenpox generally report a mild case.
Common vaccinations
It’s important for both kids and adults to be vaccinated against a variety of illnesses. The immunization process starts as early as 24 hours after birth. Some of the general vaccinations patients can expect to receive throughout their lifespan include:
- Diphtheria
- Tetanus
- Polio
- Pneumococcus
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Measles
- Mumps
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Meningococcus
- HPV
- Influenza
- COVID
- Shingles
Students preparing to enter USD 497 or any public school in Kansas are required to be vaccinated for the following:
- Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (DTaP/Tdap): Five doses required.
- Hepatitis A (Hep A): Two doses required.
- Hepatitis B (Hep B): Three doses required.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR): Two doses required.
- Meningococcal-Serogroup A,C,W,Y (MenACWY): Two doses required.
- Poliomyelitis (IPV/tOPV): Four doses required.
- Varicella (Chickenpox): Two doses are required.
Regardless of age, everyone should keep up to date with all vaccinations. Select vaccinations are only available to adults. The shingles vaccine, which protects against a strain of the chickenpox virus that lies dormant in the system until it “reactivates,” is available to patients beginning at age 50. Pneumococcal vaccines are available for patients 65 and older.
“If you’ve missed an immunization, talk to your provider,” remarked Dr. Hughes. “It is better to receive it later than never.”
Additional vaccination may be required if a you plan to travel overseas. When planning a trip outside of the United States, check with the CDC for a list of recommended and required vaccinations for your destination.
“Your primary care provider will be able to provide common routine vaccinations, however for several of the overseas-specific vaccinations, your health department will be better stocked and equipped to administer those,” stated Dr. Hughes.
You can receive vaccinations through your primary care provider, local public health department and many pharmacies. According to the CDC, all health insurance marketplace plans and most other private insurance plans must cover certain vaccines without charging a copayment or coinsurance when provided by an in-network provider. Check with your insurance provider for the exact list of covered vaccines.
“Most vaccinations can be given anytime once a patient has reached a certain age,” said Dr. Hughes. “For vaccinations such as the flu, it is best to get it annually – preferably in early October.”
Whether you’re heading back to school, the office or traveling the world, make sure you’re up-to-date with your vaccinations. Contact your primary care provider or Public Health department with questions or concerns.
“Preventing the spread of diseases is the best way to keep yourself and our communities happy and healthy,” said Dr. Hughes.
