Vaccines are one of the most effective tools we have to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities from serious—and sometimes deadly—diseases. Whether you’re a parent scheduling your child’s vaccines, an adult catching up on missed doses, or a senior staying ahead of seasonal illness, immunizations play a critical role in lifelong wellness.

At Family Medical Centers, we’re here to make it easy to stay up to date on all recommended vaccines for every stage of life.

Why Immunizations Matter

Immunizations help your body build immunity against harmful viruses and bacteria without causing the disease itself. Thanks to vaccines, illnesses like polio, measles, and whooping cough are no longer widespread threats—but they can return if vaccination rates drop.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), routine childhood vaccines prevent an estimated 4 million deaths worldwide each year¹. Among approximately 117 million children born during 1994–2023, routine childhood vaccinations will have prevented approximately 508 million lifetime cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths.³

Childhood Immunizations: A Strong Start

The CDC recommends a well-established schedule of vaccines beginning at birth and continuing through adolescence. These include protection against:

• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP)
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Polio
• Haemophilus Influenza B
• Hepatitis A and B
• Pneumococcal
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Rotavirus
• Meningitis
• RSV
• Flu
• COVID-19
• HPV (recommended starting at age 11–12)⁴

Regular pediatric checkups ensure your child stays on track and protected.

Adult Immunizations: Staying Protected at Every Age

Immunizations aren’t just for kids—adults need protection too. Your healthcare provider can help identify which vaccines you may need based on age, lifestyle, and medical history.

Common adult vaccines include:

• Influenza (flu shot): Annually, especially important for high-risk groups
• Tdap/Td: Every 10 years to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
• Shingles: Recommended for adults over 50
• Pneumococcal vaccines: For adults 65+ or those with chronic health conditions
• RSV: For adults 75+ years, those 60-74 years at increased risk for severe RSV disease, and some pregnant women
• COVID-19: Stay up to date with current recommendations⁴

Immunizations Protect More Than Just You

Getting vaccinated also helps protect people who can’t receive vaccines—such as newborns, those with weakened immune systems, or individuals undergoing cancer treatment. This concept, known as community immunity or herd immunity, reduces the spread of contagious diseases and saves lives2.

Schedule Your Vaccinations Today

Staying current with immunizations is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to stay healthy. Not sure if you’re up to date? Our providers can review your records, recommend any needed vaccines, and answer all your questions.

Call your provider today to stay protected and stay healthy.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Global Vaccination: A Success Story. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/global.html 
2. World Health Organization. (2022). How Do Vaccines Work? https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work 
3. Zhou F, Jatlaoui TC, Leidner AJ, et al. Health and Economic Benefits of Routine Childhood Immunizations in the Era of the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, 1994–2023. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:682–685. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7331a2 
4. CDC. (2024). Immunization schedules. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/index.html