What is the purpose of getting a vaccine?

Vaccines are meant to protect us against preventable diseases that are either contagious, deadly, or both. By getting vaccinated against preventable diseases, the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalizations, and even death are dramatically decreased. Common preventable diseases that vaccines work against include the Flu, Chicken Pox, Shingles, Tetanus, Pneumonia, Meningitis, and many more!

What you should know

FYI — Vaccine availability varies by pharmacy.

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is a viral infection that is spread by mosquitoes. It is a serious disease that can cause fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. In some cases, yellow fever can be fatal.

Meningococcal (meningitis)

Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection that attacks the lining of the brain and spinal cord. It is a serious disease that can cause fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. In some cases, meningococcal meningitis can be fatal.

Typhoid

Typhoid is a bacterial infection that is spread by contaminated food or water. It is a serious disease that can cause fever, headache, fatigue, stomach pain, and diarrhea. In some cases, typhoid can be fatal.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection that attacks the liver. It is a serious disease that can cause fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, and loss of appetite. In some cases, hepatitis A can be fatal.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver. It is a serious disease that can cause fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, jaundice, and loss of appetite. In some cases, hepatitis B can be fatal.

Polio

Polio is a viral infection that can cause paralysis. It is a serious disease that can be fatal.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral infection that is spread by the bite of an infected animal. It is a serious disease that can be fatal.

Japanese Encephalitis

Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito-borne viral disease that can cause inflammation of the brain. It is a serious disease that can be fatal.

FYI — Vaccine availability varies by pharmacy.

COVID-19

An extremely contagious viral disease that widely varies in symptoms. Symptoms that may be present include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste and/or smell, fatigue, and headache. There are three vaccines available to help drastically decrease the chances of contracting this infectious disease or greatly lessen the severity of it if still contracted.

Influenza (Flu) 

Caused by the influenza virus, the flu is an extremely contagious disease be seen include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste and/or smell, fatigue, and headache. There are 3 vaccines available to help drastically decrease the chances of contracting this infectious disease or greatly lessen the severity of it if characterized by fever, muscle pain, fatigue, headache, chills, runny nose, sore throat, and cough. This infection is transmitted via droplets. By getting the flu shot annually one can drastically decrease their chances of contracting this infectious disease or greatly lessen the severity of the flu if they still get it.

Zoster (Shingles)

This is a viral disease characterized by blisters and painful rashes. In addition to this people can experience muscle weakness, body aches, fever, chills, itching, and fatigue. This disease is spread through direct contact; getting vaccinated against this is recommended for most people ages 50 and up in order to help prevent the spread and transmission of shingles.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 

This viral disease usually affects moist areas of the body and the skin. Signs of a viral HPV infection include warts that can be found on the genitals, as well as hands and feet or other parts of the body. Transmitted through direct contact this disease may be prevented by a vaccination.

Pneumococcal (Pneumonia)

Pneumonia is an infection that is seen in the air sacs of the lungs. This infection can infect only one lung, or both at the same time. Symptoms include fever, chills, difficulty breathing, a severe cough, body pain, chest pain while coughing, etc. This condition is spread via respiratory droplets and may be prevented by a vaccination.

TdaP and Td, (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis, or Tetanus alone)

Tetanus is a bacterial infection also known as lockjaw. It causes painful muscle contractions in the neck and jaw and may also be characterized by jerking, staring, difficulty swallowing, and painful spasms. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection of the nose and throat that has symptoms including ulcers or throat lining covered in a thick gray membrane, fever, pain, swelling, sore throat, and coughing. Pertussis (whooping cough) is an infection of the airway that starts off similar to a common cold, but then progresses into much worse symptoms like an uncontrolled cough that can lead to vomiting, fatigue, accumulation of mucus in the throat, and a high pitched tone of breathing. All 3 conditions can be transmitted via indirect contact, and all 3 conditions may be preventable with a single vaccination.

Meningococcal (meningitis) 

Meningitis is a bacterial infection that attacks the lining of the brain. Symptoms include a stiff neck, fever, headache, and confusion. Meningitis is spread via indirect contact and can potentially be prevented via vaccination.