In 1990, I contracted chicken pox while seven months pregnant. We were afraid we would lose our son. In the early stages of pregnancy, chickenpox, also known as chickenpox virus, can cause scarring, damage to fetal organs, and developmental and learning difficulties. Late in pregnancy, it can be life-threatening for both mother and baby.
At the time, there was no vaccine or treatment in the United States. I had no choice but to buckle down and hope for the best. My OB-GYN did home visits to keep me and the virus out of his office. For three weeks, my pregnant belly and I struggled with pain, fever, chills, constant itching, and I couldn’t sleep all night. My husband and I held our breath and hoped our son wouldn’t come early. Instead, he arrived two weeks late, unscathed. We were lucky. And I didn’t press our luck.
As soon as the chickenpox vaccine arrived at our pediatrician’s office in 1995, we were first in line. My son got the vaccine, and when he arrived a few years later, his sisters also got the vaccine. I wanted to make sure none of them became adults like me, at risk of contracting a potentially dangerous virus.
What is a vaccine?
Vaccines contain a weakened or inactivated form of a virus, such as chickenpox, and work by training our immune system to recognize the virus and make antibodies to fight it. It’s like an instruction manual for our immune system. Once enough people become immune through vaccination, herd immunity makes it more difficult for the disease to spread and some eventually disappear completely. So we don’t see smallpox Or a baby with polio in an iron lung.
But some recent changes to vaccine recommendations are raising doubts and confusion among some people, and as a result, some people are stopping getting vaccinated indefinitely. This is causing the resurgence of diseases that had almost disappeared, such as measles. I received a booster dose of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) last year as outbreaks increased. I received one of the first MMR vaccines in 1971. Especially as a septic shock survivor, measles is the last thing I need at 63 years old. I messaged my healthcare provider (HCP) and they ordered a blood test to check for my antibodies, which actually turned out to be low. If you are unsure about your vaccine status or whether you need a specific vaccine, talking to your HCP is a good place to start.
What vaccines can I get?
Pharmacist Alisha Reed, HealthyWomen Women’s Health Advisory Board member and founder of Your Self Care Prescription, says to make a list of questions to bring with you to your appointment. “Start by asking your health care provider if you or your child is currently vaccinated and where they have already been,” Reed advised. Your HCP can usually find this in your medical records.
Questions to ask HCPs about the vaccine
recommended vaccines
- Which vaccine is recommended for me (or my loved one)?
- Why is it important to get this vaccine?
- Are any of the recommended vaccines optional, or are they all required?
- How often should I get this vaccine?
- Is there a specific time of year when I should get the vaccine?
- Can I receive more than one at the same time?
Safety and side effects
- Are there any risks to getting the vaccine recommended for me?
- What are the most common side effects of each vaccine?
- Are there any serious reactions I should know about?
Medical history and current medications
- Are there any vaccines I should consider due to my medical history or specific condition?
- Are there any vaccines I should avoid because of my medical history or certain medical conditions?
- Are there any concerns that a medication I am taking will interact with the vaccine?
Questions may include questions about eligibility for specific vaccines. This may vary depending on your age, risk factors, and health conditions. For example, people with lung diseases such as COPD should ask about vaccines that can protect them against diseases that target the lungs, such as COVID-19, flu, or RSV. There are certain vaccines recommended for pregnant women and infants.
Travelers need a variety of vaccines to visit different countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a lot of information about travel vaccines. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and American Medical Association (AMA) also generally provide reliable information about vaccines, providing lists to take to your provider. And if you’re wondering whether one of the older vaccines still works, ask about getting an antibody test like I did for measles.
Drug interactions and vaccine intervals
Another good question is whether certain medications interact with or weaken the effectiveness of the vaccine. “Some people cannot get vaccinated while receiving chemotherapy or monoclonal antibodies,” Reed said. Some people are sensitive or react to the preservatives in the vaccine. Ask about the ingredients. These are all good questions and should definitely be on your list.
Ask your HCP which vaccines are most important to you or your family and whether there is room to delay or give up certain vaccines. Ask how often you should get updates. Find out if you can get more than one vaccine at a time or if you need to space them out. “Some people get both the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine together,” Reed said.
Now is the season for vaccines
Ask your health care provider when is best to get the vaccine during the year. “Typically, respiratory illnesses start in the fall and won’t decline until the end of winter,” Reed explained. But that isn’t always the case. Winter is definitely peak season, but some diseases occur all year round. My husband and I receive updated flu and Covid-19 vaccinations every September. And we both received two versions of the pneumonia vaccine a few years ago. It was a real shame when I developed pneumonia in August 2023, but I recovered at home instead of being hospitalized like I did when I contracted pneumonia in April 2001, before I was vaccinated.
Appropriate Time for Vaccine
Reed advises asking your HCP if you should schedule your vaccination for a specific day of the week in case you have a reaction. My husband and I are overdue for the shingles vaccine. I was waiting for it because I was afraid it was going to kick my ass. About 10 years ago I had shingles, a viral infection that causes a very painful rash, and it was very bad. It took six months to recover and I was left with nerve damage. Our HCP suggested getting the vaccine on a Friday to allow for recovery over the weekend if necessary. My husband was fine. He cut the grass. I received both my first and second doses (also scheduled for Friday) and spent the weekend in bed with flu-like symptoms, which were gone by Sunday afternoon. It was still better than actually having shingles.
Your HCP can review possible side effects with you, and the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) also provides comprehensive information on vaccine side effects and side effects. Reed advised getting the right information from real people with real qualifications.
This training material was created with support from:m modern.
From your site article
Related articles on the web
