What are immunizations?

Immunizations help protect you or your child from disease. They also help reduce the spread of disease to others and prevent epidemics. Most are given as shots. They are sometimes called vaccines, or vaccinations.

In many cases when you get a vaccine, you get a tiny amount of the organism that causes the disease. This amount is not enough to give you the actual disease. But it is enough to cause your i mmune system to make antbodies that can recognize and attack the organism if you are ever exposed to it.

Sometimes a vaccine does not completely prevent the disease, but it will make the disease much less serious if you do get it.

Some immunizations are given only once. Others require several doses over time.

Why should you get immunized?

• Immunizations protect you or your child from disease.
• They help reduce the spread of disease to others.
• Getting immunized costs less than getting treated for the diseases that the shots protect you from.
• Vaccines have very few serious side effects.
• They are often needed for entrance into school or day care.

If you are a woman who is planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about what immunizations you have had and what you may need to protect your baby.

Traveling to other countries may be another reason to get immunized. Talk with your doctor 6 months before you leave to see if you need any shots.