Immunization Awareness Month

A vaccine is a medical invention that works with the body’s natural defenses to create protection against harmful germs. By introducing the immune system to a dead or weakened version of that germ, vaccines allow the immune system to identify the risk and produce antibodies to fight it in the future.

Vaccines undergo an extensive trial and testing phase before they can be approved by the Federal Drug Administration for use by the public. This means that vaccines recommended by your provider are considered safe and effective and can protect those around you through herd immunity.

Herd immunity is achieved when a certain percentage of a population is vaccinated against the same disease. This method protects those in the community, or “herd”, that cannot receive the vaccine for health reasons, by breaking the chain of transmission among the vaccinated and forcing the disease to die out of the community. Through herd immunity, deadly diseases like smallpox and polio have been entirely eradicated on a global scale, sparing many lives.

Because the immune system is designed to remember, once exposed to the proper dosage of a vaccine, it will typically protect you against that germ or virus for years, decades or, in some cases, your lifetime. Recommended vaccines and immunizations depend on your age, health status, and family history. Talk to your primary care provider to find out what vaccinations are recommended for your health.

To schedule a vaccination appointment at the Washington DC VA Medical Center, visit: Make An Appointment | VA Washington DC Health Care | Veterans Affairs