Vaccines: What You Need To Know

It's wintertime – and that means flu time. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), flu cases in the U.S. usually peak between December and February.  One way to reduce your chance of catching it is getting a flu vaccine.

Many of us have seen the flu first hand, but there are other illnesses, such as polio or the measles, that most people under 50 have never experienced, thanks to vaccines against these illnesses.  However, some infectious diseases are making alarming comebacks. Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, Chief Medical Officer of Pfizer, joined INSIDE EDITION’s Deborah Norville to talk about why.

Dr. Lewis-Hall explained: “When you get a vaccination, you are not just protecting yourself; you are providing a layer of protection to the community around you. If a critical mass, or certain number, of people in that community are not vaccinated, that’s how these diseases come back,” she said.

Norville asked, “So, what should we do?”

Dr. Lewis-Hall replied, “The good news is that today, we have vaccinations against diseases like polio, whooping cough and measles, and against other very serious diseases like pneumonia, shingles and meningitis."

“Many people think of vaccines as being for children or adolescents. But there are some recommended vaccinations for adults as well,” she added. Since vaccine protection may wane over time, some vaccinations need to be repeated.

To know what vaccines may be recommended for you and your family, and on what schedule you should receive them, talk to your doctor or health care team. For more information on vaccines, visit Get Healthy Stay Healthy.