Get In the Know: About Vaccines
Vaccination is a choice you can make for yourself and your family. With all of the information out there, it can be hard to decide whether or not to vaccinate. Get in the know about recommended vaccinations and choose for yourself.
What do vaccines do?
Vaccines teach the body's immune system to recognize and defend against harmful bacteria and viruses that make us sick.
What's inside a vaccine?
All vaccines contain what’s called an antigen. The antigen in a vaccine is a portion of the bacteria or viruses that makes us sick in a nonharmful form. An antigen prompts your body’s immune system to react to the nonharmful bacteria or virus and produce antibodies. Vaccines come in various forms such as injections, liquids, pills, or nasal sprays.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines work by preparing the body’s immune system to fight harmful bacteria and viruses we may come in contact with. The antigen in a vaccine prompts your body’s immune system to react to the nonharmful bacteria or virus in the vaccine to produce antibodies. Antibodies detect the antigen, fight it, and protect your body. If you are exposed to the same bacteria or virus after receiving the vaccine, your body is more equipped to fight it with the antibodies already formed.
What vaccines should I get?
Recommendations for vaccines depend on your age, prior vaccinations, health, lifestyle, occupation, travel destinations, and intimate relations.
For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications, and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.
For a guide please review the vaccine chart
How safe are vaccinations?
Vaccines protect against serious diseases and prevent spreading them to others. They are checked for safety and, like all medications, can have side effects. Talk to your healthcare professional about how these side effects might affect your health.
Want to know more? Check out the CDC’s Vaccine Information Statements for detailed insights into the benefits vaccines: Current VISs • CDC or visit our Vaccines: Separating Facts from Fiction page
What's the Cost?
Sometimes health care costs can influence our decision on having services completed. Find out more about healthcare costs associated with vaccines.
Answer a few questions to learn about the healthcare costs associated with vaccines.
Find Local Vaccines in your Area
Vaccines can be found in several places including doctor offices, pharmacies, community health clinics, health departments, other community locations, etc.
Tools You Can Use
This quiz is designed to assess what vaccines you may want to receive
For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications, and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.
Keep a Record of your Vaccinations
Consider utilizing these vaccination administration records to keep track of the immunizations you choose to receive.
Community Resources
- Educational Materials: Access brochures, flyers, and videos that you can use to educate you about the importance of vaccinations.
Every effort is taken to ensure that the information that is published on this website is accurate and informative
This website is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing legal advice, medical advice, or professional services. Links are provided for information and convenience only. We cannot accept responsibility for the sites linked to, or the information found there.
A link does not imply an endorsement of a site. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications, and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.
