Immunizations, including the COVID vaccines, are an important part of keeping yourself, your family, and your community healthy. Many immunizations are required for school, including for college. Adults may need a tetanus booster if it’s been more than 10 years since your last one. Older adults need additional immunizations, such as for shingles or pneumonia. Everyone age 6 months and older needs a flu shot in the fall, although September or October are the best months for flu vaccines if you can wait.
You can find out what immunizations you need at the Centers for Disease Control’s immunization website.
Vaccinations do not make you sick; they are made with weakened or dead viruses or with parts of a virus. The shot (or shots) may make your arm a bit sore for a day or two. After some vaccines, you may experience a slight fever as your immune system works hard to make antibodies to protect you against future illness.
