Immunizations are key to disease prevention. When you get vaccinated, you’re protecting yourself and others from potentially life-threatening diseases. It’s important to stay up to date on recommended immunizations so you and your loved ones can stay protected against illness. Keep reading to discover some of the reasons why immunizations are important and how they can save lives.
Immunizations Can Save Your Life
The main reason why immunizations are important is because they can protect you from potentially dangerous diseases. Serious diseases such as measles and mumps used to kill many people. Now, we have vaccines to protect you from these and other diseases. When you receive an immunization against an infectious disease, you become much less likely to catch it, and your chances of developing serious complications are even lower. Immunizations teach your body how to recognize and respond to the diseases for which they are designed. This allows your immune system to make antibodies and fight off the harmful germs if they enter your body, protecting you from potentially dangerous symptoms and complications. Some immunizations provide life-long protection, while others require boosters to maintain immunity.
Immunizations Can Protect Others
Immunizations protect more than just yourself. When you get vaccinated, you’re also protecting those around you. Infectious diseases that were once common are now spread much less often due to the prevalence of immunizations. When you receive an immunization, you reduce your chances of spreading harmful diseases to loved ones and others with whom you come into contact. This is why it’s especially important to stay up to date on immunizations if you’re around people with weakened immune systems. If enough people receive immunizations against a certain disease, the whole community can benefit through “herd immunity.” It becomes much more difficult for a disease to spread among a population in which the majority of people have been vaccinated against it. This then protects individuals who were unable to get vaccinated themselves.
Immunizations Can Eliminate Diseases
Not only are you protecting yourself and your loved ones today when you get vaccinated, but you’re also protecting future generations. The use of immunizations over the years has reduced and even eradicated some of the deadly diseases that used to kill and disable many people. An example of this is smallpox. Smallpox used to be a worldwide problem, but enough people were vaccinated against it that now the disease has been eliminated. It’s no longer necessary to receive immunizations against this disease because it’s no longer around. If everyone continues to get vaccinated against dangerous diseases that exist today, we could potentially eradicate more diseases to protect future generations.
Immunizations Can Save Time and Money
In addition to the health benefits of immunizations, there are also monetary benefits. Receiving recommended immunizations can save you money and time by decreasing your chances of getting sick. If you get sick with a vaccine-preventable disease, you will likely have to take time off from work and seek medical treatment. This can result in costly medical bills. By getting vaccinated against infectious diseases, you’re reducing your likelihood of getting sick and won’t need to spend time out of work or at the doctor’s office. While immunizations may cost a small amount of money upfront, this cost is much less than medical treatments and missed work.
Schedule Your Immunizations Appointment at Kizer Pharmacy
Here at Kizer Pharmacy, we believe immunizations are key to preventing disease. That’s why we make it easy for you and your loved ones to stay up to date on recommended vaccines. Our highly qualified staff can easily administer immunizations right here at our local pharmacy. Schedule a consultation today to discuss which immunizations you may need and to receive them at our convenient pharmacy location.