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Shots clock

Make sure everyone’s vaccinations are scheduled and up to date

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year thousands of U.S. adults get seriously ill, require hospitalization or even die because of vaccine-preventable diseases. You can get infected by dangerous viruses and bacteria if you are not vaccinated properly. For example, nearly all adults should get a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine every year. That’s because your job, lifestyle, travel or health conditions can put you at greater risk for certain infections.

Thanks to scientific discoveries, you can benefit from the many safe and effective vaccines for a variety of potentially life-threatening diseases. The CDC (CDC.gov) provides guidance on which vaccines are needed at all ages, including for adults, adolescents, children and infants; when vaccines should and should not be administered; and special situations, contraindications and precautions that need to be considered.

Several safeguards are in place to ensure a very high level of vaccine safety. Every vaccine is tested and evaluated before it is licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and recommended for use by the CDC. A vaccine’s safety continues to be monitored after it is in use.

Most vaccine side effects are mild and go away quickly on their own. Common side effects include pain, swelling or redness where the shot was given, mild fever, chills, feeling tired, headache, fainting, and muscle and joint aches.

Severe allergic reactions are very rare (one or two reactions per million doses of vaccine). Signs of a severe allergic reaction include dificulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, rapid heartbeat, total body rash, dizziness and weakness. If a severe allergic reaction occurs, call 911 or go to the closest hospital. Before receiving a vaccine, make sure to tell your health care provider about any allergic reactions you have had to vaccines or their components. You may be advised not to take it.

Getting vaccinated is easy. Vaccines are generally available at a doctor’s office, health clinic and many pharmacies—and most are paid for by insurance.

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Adult vaccines

Routine adult vaccines include influenza, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), herpes zoster (shingles), human papillomavirus, pneumococcal, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal (A, C, W, Y and B) and Haemophilus influenzae type b. Now, COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and Monkeypox vaccines can be added to this list.—LB

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Costco Connection: A variety of vaccines for different ages are available in most Costco pharmacies.

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