What vaccines do you need to stay healthy?

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Vaccinate or not to vaccinate – that is the question.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 970 cases of measles were reported this year.

In Alachua County, most of the 12 confirmed cases of mumps involved students from the University of Florida, the health department said.

If you have not been vaccinated for a long time, there is no reason to panic.

"The vaccine protects for life," said Dr. Mobeen Rathore, head of infectious diseases at UF Health.

Rathore said that if you receive the two standard doses of the modern measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, you have nothing else to do.

"Currently, there is no recommendation for a booster shot, so if you receive these two initial doses, that's all you need right now," said Rathore. "Now, these can, of course, change according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and epidemic situations."

There are some vaccines you must follow:

Shingrix is ​​a two-dose, 95% effective vaccine for the prevention of shingles. But there has been a vaccine shortage since its introduction in 2017. If you can find it, get it.

With regard to tetanus, the general rule is every 10 years.

And what about pesky chickenpox? If you were born before 1995, chances are you never get vaccines. But more than likely, most adults have already been exposed to it.

Doctors are now focusing on the next generation.

"There is a lot of false information about what vaccines do in terms of side effects, which are mostly untrue," said Rathore. "I think it's important to get your child vaccinated at the right time – there's a reason we immunize children against measles, mumps and rubella."

As an adult, there is only one vaccine recommended by most doctors each year. It is a vaccine against the flu.
But if you are concerned about a specific disease, it is best to ask your doctor.

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