Vaccination roundup
Do you need a shot for flu, shingles, or pneumonia this year?
Image: MonkeyBusinessImages/ Thinkstock
Researchers here at Harvard and elsewhere are racing to find a vaccine that will protect us from Zika, the mosquito-borne illness linked to rare birth defects and to Guillain-Barré syndrome. Meanwhile, we already have vaccines to protect us against common and sometimes vicious illnesses.
Flu vaccine
This annual shot is considered a "must" for older adults, especially those with heart disease. The challenge is deciding whether to get the trivalent vaccine—a stronger dose that includes three influenza strains and may trigger an improved immune response in seniors—or the broader quadrivalent vaccine, which includes four flu strains.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online for immediate access to health news and information from Harvard Medical School.
- Research health conditions
- Check your symptoms
- Prepare for a doctor's visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise