Vaccinations are a safe, proven way to protect your health and your family. The quick pinch of a shot might be uncomfortable in the moment, but health experts say the benefits far outweigh the discomfort.
“Immunizations help protect people from serious infectious diseases and the complications they can cause. They are especially important for infants and older adults, who are at a higher risk of becoming very sick,” says Torie Ritter-Stephens, Physician Assistant at Cayuga Health, a Member of Centralus Health.
World Immunization Week, celebrated in the last week of April, focuses on immunizing as many people as possible. High vaccination rates significantly reduce the overall spread of diseases, lower the severity of illness, and decrease hospitalizations.
“Vaccines protect not only the person receiving them, but also help keep the community healthy by reducing the spread of disease.”
Protection acquired from an infection, often referred to as natural immunity, is generally considered to be less effective than immunity obtained from a vaccination. Torie says immunizations provide more reliable protection without the risk of complications from a disease.
“Vaccines work by teaching your immune system how to recognize and fight specific germs that cause disease. They help your body practice defending itself without causing the illness.”
If you get a vaccine before you’re exposed to an illness, the body can provide a faster and stronger defense, lowering the chance of having severe symptoms or complications.
“Immunizations allow your immune system to build memory, so if you are exposed to the real infection later, your body can respond quickly and prevent you from becoming seriously sick.”
Side effects from routine immunizations are common. Children may experience mild, temporary reactions including pain, swelling, or redness at the injection site; mild fever; irritability; loss of appetite, and fatigue. These symptoms typically appear within a day or two and subside shortly after.
“It might cause side effects that seem like an infection, but it’s not the same as the disease itself,” says Dr. Ravi Raj Kavuda, Pediatrician at Arnot Health, a Member of Centralus Health. Symptoms are signs that your body is building immunity, not a sign of infection from the vaccine itself.
“They happen because your body is practicing how to defend itself against these germs. Overall, the protection vaccines provide is much greater than the small risk of side effects.” The immune response to a vaccine might cause tiredness and discomfort for a day or two, but the resulting protection can last a lifetime. Infections are unpredictable and can have long-term consequences.
“You might be exposed to a virus or bacteria at any time. You don’t know. There might be a time when you get really sick and that can lead to complications. Rather than exposing someone to a harmful virus or bacteria, you can develop immunity for a long time.”
Torie encourages people to ask questions about vaccinations, saying it’s normal to want to make the best, most informed decisions.
“People usually talk with their healthcare provider to decide whether a vaccine is right for them. The provider checks for situations where a vaccine should not be given, or situations where a vaccine might need to be delayed or used carefully if the benefits outweigh the risks.”
Primary care providers are the best resource to discuss specific concerns, safety, side effects, and, if necessary, to create a personalized schedule. Vaccine-related confidence is believed to play a significant and growing role in personal healthcare decision-making.
“I feel we can successfully vaccinate anyone when people feel confident,” says Dr. Kavuda.
You can view your immunization records directly on MyChart. This is helpful for instantly accessing vaccination dates, tracking compliance for school or work, fulfilling travel requirements, and sharing records with new healthcare providers without needing paper copies. To register or sign in, go to centralushealth.org/mychart.
Primary care providers specialize in prevention, detection, and treatment of illnesses. Cayuga Health offers primary care services at 40 Catherwood Road, Ithaca; 905 Hanshaw Road, Ithaca; 401 CayugaPark Lane, Ithaca; 260 Tompkins Street, Cortland; 5 Evergreen Street, Dryden; 2138 West Seneca Street, Ovid; 220 Steuben Street, Montour Falls, and 217 N. Aurora Street, Ithaca. Arnot Health offers primary care services at 100 John Roemmelt Drive, Horseheads; 418 S. Hamilton Street, Erwin; 600 Roe Avenue, Elmira; 309 Hoffman Street, Elmira; 15 Community Drive, Addison, and 455 Maple Street, Big Flats.
