Get to know why vaccines matter at every age

Most of us aren’t fond of getting shots. But making sure you’re up on immunizations might help you or your family avoid a trip to the doctor.

“Getting vaccinated is a quick, safe and easy way to lower your chances of getting sick,” says Bob Pelz, MD, PeaceHealth’s system medical director of Infection Prevention.

Sticking to a vaccine schedule also limits the chances that you'll pass illnesses to friends, coworkers and vulnerable members of your community. Dr. Pelz makes sure to get his own required doses. “I have a responsibility to do everything I can to protect my patients, coworkers, friends and family as much as I can.”

Here's why it's worth staying current with recommended vaccines throughout life: 

Vaccines for babies

Babies’ immune systems aren’t fully developed, so it’s easier for them to get sick. It’s important to start their recommended vaccine series early, before they come into contact with lots of germs. 

Vaccinating your baby protects them from 14 childhood illnesses. This includes life-threatening ones like diphtheria and whooping cough. Some of these once-rare illnesses are appearing in our communities again, as vaccine rates slip.

Vaccines for bigger kids

As kids get older, they tend to spend more time with more people in school, sports and other activities. And they may not be as careful as adults about hand washing, covering sneezes, etc. They need regular vaccines to keep them safe from illnesses like polio, mumps and rubella, which used to be very common. Vaccines now keep children from getting those infections and others. In fact, vaccines save the lives of more than 4 million kids a year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Over the past 50 years, vaccines have saved 154 million lives around the globe, the World Health Organization reports.

Here are three reasons to keep your kids current:

1. Vaccine series. Many of the doses given to infants and toddlers need boosters and follow-ups.
2. Vaccine updates. Some illnesses, like the flu and the COVID-19 viruses, are always changing. To be effective, these vaccines have to change, too. Updated formulas and boosters keep children’s immunity going strong.
3. Community immunity. As kids get bigger, they may need proof of vaccination to go to school or camp, or to play sports. Keeping your kids up to date protects them and everyone else in their group activities.

Vaccines for tweens and teens

Tweens and teens often widen their worlds of experience. That can include crowds and places where they encounter more germs. And they are still kids, so it’s important to keep up with their regular shots and boosters. 

As kids get older, pediatricians also recommend the HPV vaccine series to protect against the HPV virus and prevent certain cancers later in life.  The HPV virus spreads through sexual contact so it's important to have the shots before young people potentially become sexually active.

Vaccines for adults

Adults are usually more careful about protecting themselves from others who are sick. But with work schedules, travel and other activities, adults can be exposed to various illnesses too. They too can benefit from immunizations. In addition to seasonal flu shots, you also need occasional updates, such as tetanus boosters every 10 years. Sticking to the recommended vaccination schedule keeps you safe and protects others, too.

That said, not everyone should get all vaccines. A vaccine might not be right for you or a loved one in certain cases, such as:

• During pregnancy. Ask your care team what's right for you and your baby when you're expecting.
• If you are allergic to a component of the vaccine. For instance, people with egg allergies may not be able to get a flu vaccine because eggs are a key ingredient.
• If you’re in treatment for cancer.
• If you have an active case of an illness that a vaccine protects against.

Sometimes you'll want additional vaccines because of your health history. “Different vaccine schedules are recommended for patients with certain underlying medical conditions like chronic lung disease, HIV or other immune suppression,” Dr. Pelz says.

Everyone’s personal situation is different. Let your provider know if you are pregnant, have any preexisting conditions or allergies, or plan international travel. Together, you can set up a vaccine schedule that fits your needs.

Vaccines for older adults

As people get older, their immune systems might get weaker. And if you have a condition that makes it easier for you to get sick, you'll want extra protection from common illnesses. These are the vaccines that may be recommended for older people:  

• Shingles. A two-dose series can prevent this painful illness that often affects people over 50.
• Pneumonia. Vaccination lowers the chances of people over 50 getting severe cases of pneumonia.
• RSV. Approved in 2023, this vaccine protects people over 60 from serious illness or complications related to respiratory syncytial virus, which causes cold-like symptoms.
• Pertussis (whooping cough). Immunity wears off over time so boosters are needed. This shot (Tdap) also covers tetanus and diphtheria. 

If you are an older adult or care for someone who is, ask your doctor or care team for vaccination recommendations.

Are you and your family up to date?

What shots have you and your family already gotten? What are you missing? To answer these questions, you’ll need to find your family’s vaccination records. They may be on paper or online.

Where to look:

•  See if you have a paper copy of your records in a folder or school binder.
• Log in to your healthcare provider's online patient portal, such as My PeaceHealth or MyChart.
• If you got vaccinated at a pharmacy or grocery store, ask if they have your records.

Check out more tips on finding vaccination records.

Once you've gathered your records, you can work with your family’s primary care provider to catch everybody up and stay on schedule. 

You might note that national health leaders regularly review recommendations on shots. Check with your PCP for the most up-to-date guidance.

If you have questions about vaccine safety, have an honest conversation with your care team. They can explain what to expect and answer your questions.

To talk about your vaccine needs, or to book a visit to get a needed dose, reach out to your PeaceHealth clinic.