Vaccines and immunizations Archive

The first three years of life are crucial for brain development. Interactions between babies and their caregivers build neural connections in the brain and lacking sufficient interactions may affect brain development. A study found that babies born during the pandemic scored lower in several areas of development than babies born before it started.

With colds, flu, and COVID variants circulating, keeping your immune system healthy is even more important. Advertising would have you believe that some supplement or other is the key to protecting yourself from getting sick, but the best strategies to protect yourself involve common sense and simple steps.

A number of vaccinations are recommended for adults. These include not only the COVID-19 vaccine, but also an annual influenza shot and vaccinations for shingles and pneumococcal disease, among others. A doctor may also recommend additional vaccines depending on a person's individual circumstances, such as planning travel or caring for a newborn. Adults should check periodically to make sure that they are up to date with all of their shots.

Walking pneumonia means a person with pneumonia is highly likely to get well at home and not develop complications. Still, walking pneumonia is considered a significant infection and requires prompt and appropriate treatment. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics and rest.

Rapid COVID tests aren't foolproof, but can provide an added layer of assurance if people take them before a planned gathering, in addition to following other preventive strategies.

Now that a booster shot is recommended for some people who had COVID-19 vaccines, many of us have questions about the right timing, dose, and type of vaccine to seek.

If you are gathering with family or friends during this holiday season there is still a lot of uncertainty around how to help keep everyone as safe as possible from COVID-19 illnesses and hospitalizations, particularly when many people will be traveling. Harvard Health Publishing faculty contributors share their own holiday plans and offer advice for safely enjoying the holidays this year.