Vaccines Across Every Stage of Life

If someone asked whether your child is up to date on their vaccines, you’d probably have an answer. If someone asked whether you are, would you know?

From infancy to retirement, vaccinations play an important role in protecting our health and the health of those around us.

The vaccines recommended for a toddler, a teenager, an expectant mother, and a retiree aren’t always the same. Children receive vaccines that help protect against diseases like measles, whooping cough, meningitis, and polio. Teens may be due for booster shots, while adults often need annual flu vaccines, tetanus boosters, and, depending on their age and health history, vaccines that help protect against pneumonia and shingles.

Thanks in large part to vaccination, many diseases that once caused widespread illness are far less common than they used to be. However, they haven’t disappeared entirely. Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses, including measles and whooping cough, continue to occur across the United States.

One misconception is that vaccines are something you finish as a child and never think about again. In reality, staying up to date on recommended vaccines is part of maintaining good health at every stage of life.

Just as important, vaccines don’t only protect the person receiving them. They also help protect newborns, grandparents, neighbors, classmates, and friends who may be more vulnerable to serious illness.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by vaccine schedules, recommendations, or all the information available online, you’re not alone. Our Family Medicine providers at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital are happy to answer questions, discuss recommendations, and help you determine what’s right for you and your family. Whether you’re preparing a child for school, expecting a baby, managing a chronic condition, or simply wondering if you’re due for a vaccine, we’re here to help.

To schedule an appointment at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Family Medicine, call 620-804-6007 or visit pawneevalleyhospital.com/family-medicine.