One of the many services we offer at our Nashville pharmacy is vaccinations. We offer a variety of immunizations, including the flu shot, shingles, pneumonia, and the TDAP vaccines. But are vaccinations really all that important? They absolutely are! Vaccines are safe, effective and can truly mean the difference between life and death. The risk of infections and diseases far outweigh any potential risks of vaccinations. Here are just a few benefits of vaccines:
1. Vaccines protect against countless diseases.
While it’s true that many diseases are less common than they used to be, vaccine-preventable illnesses are still around and will probably never go away completely, especially since global travel is easily accessible. Without vaccines, you are susceptible to diseases such as measles and hepatitis B and illnesses such as shingles and the flu. Immunizations have the ability to change harmful, even fatal diseases, to preventable, non-life-threatening conditions. Smallpox and polio, for example, are nearly eradicated thanks to vaccines.
2. Vaccines not only protect you but also the people around you.
Have you ever heard of the term “herd immunity”? This simply means that a disease is more controlled the more people have vaccinations against it. They’re just as important as a healthy diet or consistent exercise routine in keeping you at your best physically and are one of the safest and most effective preventable measures you can take. Vaccines are thoroughly tested, monitored, and approved by the FDA and are designed so that it is impossible for you to get the disease from the vaccine.
3. Vaccines are cost-effective.
One of the benefits of vaccines you may not realize is their cost-effectiveness. Simply put, treating a disease is much more expensive than preventing it. Think of the lost income from missing work, doctor’s visits, treatments, hospitalizations, and premature deaths linked to a disease, in addition to the time, effort, and money spent on local or large outbreaks. Vaccines reduce that burden significantly and save countless lives and money in the long run.
4. Vaccines keep you healthy and ultimately save lives.
As was previously mentioned, vaccinations are vital for personal health and wellness as well as the immunity and well-being of your family, friends, and community. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or old, sick or healthy– vaccine-preventable conditions can attack anyone at any time. It’s just as crucial for young and healthy people to get routine immunizations just as it is for those with higher risk, such as children, aging adults, and those with compromised immune systems.
We hope you’ve learned a lot about the benefits of vaccines! We are always available to speak with you about a specific vaccine or to schedule an appointment. Find out more about our vaccination services, and don’t hesitate to reach out to our kind and professional team with any questions!