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Fall vaccination roundup

September 1, 2022

Even if you’re exhausted from pandemic-related vaccinations, it’s still important to stay up to date on all of your shots.

photo of a smiling woman sitting in her kitchen, pointing to a bandage on her upper arm where she received a vaccination

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, with vaccination requiring boosters, it can be easy to forget about vaccines that guard against other illnesses. But vaccines are more important than ever as the years pass, because your immune system weakens with age. "You can’t fight off infections as well as you used to," says Dr. Suzanne Salamon, associate chief of gerontology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. "If you have medical conditions, they can make you even more vulnerable. So any vaccinations are helpful."

Talk to your doctor about whether you’re up to date on vaccinations and boosters for COVID-19; tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), which are given together; hepatitis A; and the following illnesses.

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About the Author

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Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter

Heidi Godman is the executive editor of the Harvard Health Letter. Before coming to the Health Letter, she was an award-winning television news anchor and medical reporter for 25 years. Heidi was named a journalism fellow … See Full Bio
View all posts by Heidi Godman

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