Immunizations: What are they and why do we get them?

My name is Annalise Shippee and I’m a Family Practice Physician Assistant at Perham Health. I see all ages from teeny tiny babies all the way to end of life care. I was born and raised in Perham and couldn’t wait to get back. I’ve been working at Perham Health since 2015 but have 7 years of experience prior to moving home.

I often get asked questions about immunizations so I thought I would take this opportunity to answer them.

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All About Immunizations

What is an immunization?

Immunization is a process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through a vaccine. A vaccine is a substance that stimulates your body to defend itself against diseases. Immunizations protect you from infectious diseases that can cause serious health problems and even death.

The goal is to provide an immune response so that if your body is exposed to a virus or bacteria, your body knows what to do. Rather than it being the first time your body comes in contact with an infection and is overwhelmed trying to fight off the infection, your body already has some fighters who are prepared to fight off the infection and are successful at preventing serious illness.

Why are immunizations important?

Most of us don’t remember a time when people died of smallpox, mumps and polio. The reason why you don’t remember is because of immunizations. Scientists discovered vaccines that might prevent people from getting the diseases or from getting very sick if they were exposed. Kids don’t get these diseases today because they get vaccinated when they are young. That’s why vaccines are so important.

When I talk to kids about getting their immunizations, I compare it to wearing a bike helmet or a seatbelt. This is just another form of protection.

Immunization Schedules

What immunizations do my kids need?

Check out this handy immunization guide (youth) that outlines all the immunizations needed. Starting at birth, we help babies fight off diseases. After birth, we give immunizations at children’s Well Child Check ups. Usually around the age of two, they have gotten the majority of their vaccinations, but there are a few more in the teen years.

What immunizations do teenagers need?

Teenagers need immunizations to protect against influenza, meningitis, tetanus and HPV. I get the most questions about the HPV vaccine. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus that can lead to head, neck or throat cancer, cervical cancer and genital warts. We give the HPV vaccine starting at 10-11 years old because it’s been shown to work better around this age than when you are older, and its way before kids are sexually active.

Some parents get a little bit nervous thinking that we are saying it is okay for kids to have sex. That couldn’t be further from the truth. We are only trying to keep kids safe by protecting them against a virus that is known to cause cancer. Even if you decide not to have sex until you are 25, you’re better protected and have to have less doses than if you wait to get the vaccine when you are an adult.

What immunizations do adults need?

Here’s another helpful immunization guide (adult). Adults should get a tetanus immunization every 10 years. Influenza is recommended annually, especially if you are over the age of 65. When you turn 50, we recommend you get a Shingles vaccine called Shingrix. After 65, a pneumonia shot is also recommended. If you suffer from a chronic disease, there may be other recommended immunizations. You should talk to your healthcare provider.

Common Questions

Why do we have so many immunizations?

There are a lot of immunizations, but that is because there are a lot of bad diseases that can really harm you. Through many years of study, we’ve learned that it can take more than one dose of some vaccines to get the immune response that will fight off the disease.

The other question I get a lot is why we give so many immunizations when children are little. They can get as many as four vaccinations at one time, and parents wonder if that is too many. But truthfully, this little infant with a brand new immune system is coming into contact with more potential pathogens than those vaccinations on any given day. Little kids are constantly putting things in their mouth and chewing on things that have germs all over them. It’s been proven over and over again that babies do very well with the vaccines. The younger we give them, the better the immune response works.

What if I am worried about immunizations?

Come talk to me or any of the providers at Perham Health. We will give you accurate information from reliable sources to help you make your decision. I’ll discuss your fears, and we can discuss side effects. I’ll give you all the information you need and answer all your questions so that you can make an informed decision. I recommend researching mumps, measles, polio, meningitis, smallpox and see what can happen if your child isn’t vaccinated. It’s pretty devastating.

I’m behind in my immunizations. How do I get caught up?

If you are behind, we can get you caught up. We can schedule a regular checkup, or a nurse visit where you can get in and out quickly.

Are immunizations free?

Immunizations are not free but most insurances do cover them as preventative medicine to prevent diseases. If you don’t have insurance, we have ways to help you pay for it. Just ask.

Does the MRR immunization cause autism?

One of the questions I get asked is does the MMR vaccine cause autism. In the late eighties or early nineties, there was a provider that published a study that was incorrect about how those vaccines increase the risk of autism in kids. This caused some anxiety and fear among parents. Since then, it’s been proven many times over that the article was inaccurate and that the MMR Varicella vaccine does not cause autism.

What if I am afraid to get a shot?

There are things we can do to help people who are afraid of getting shots like using a numbing spray, distraction or lying down. Some people like to talk through their fears and come back another day because they just need to get prepared for it.

Sometimes it’s the parent who is afraid, and they project their fear onto their kids. Their anxiety can make it a bigger deal than it has to be. I tell parents to treat it like it is a normal part of a checkup.

What about the COVID vaccine?

I encourage anybody who has questions or concerns about the COVID vaccine to come and talk to me. We can just have a conversation and I will answer their questions and concerns. Some people are getting their information from social media which certainly is not a reliable medical resource. I welcome them to come in and have conversations about it, and we can try to decipher what is fact from fiction.

What are some reliable sources to learn more about immunizations?

The Sanford Health website, Mayo Clinic and the Minnesota Department of Health are all good reliable websites.

The Importance of Immunizations

Why you and your kids should get immunized.

I feel very confident that the United States has thoroughly tested the safety and efficacy of the vaccines recommended by the CDC and that they are beneficial to help fight off infections. Sometimes people question that there are side effects to vaccines and people can have complications after vaccines; this is certainly true. I do not dispute this and I do discuss possible adverse reactions with my patients. Overwhelmingly, however, the majority of people who take these vaccines do well. I often explain to my patients that just like taking ibuprofen or aspirin there are potential adverse side effects that can happen but for most people the serious side effects do not happen. I recommend that all my families get their immunizations to keep their immune system strong.

Still have questions? That’s okay!

It’s okay to have questions. If you’re worried about immunizations, come talk to me. I welcome the conversations! I encourage you to come talk to me or any Perham Health provider if you have questions about vaccines or concerns. I am happy to explain the importance of immunizations and answer your questions.

Call 218-347-1200 to make an appointment.