Vaccines and immunizations Archive

Vaccines and immunizations

Should you get vaccinated against these germs?

Updated August 17, 2021

Diseases & Conditions

Should I get the new shingles vaccine?

Updated August 17, 2021

Healthy aging and longevity

Shingles vaccine may also reduce stroke risk

Updated August 16, 2021

The shingles vaccine was associated with a 10% to 20% lower risk of stroke among adults ages 66 and older, according to a recent study.

Diseases & Conditions

Bracing for flu season: Steps to protect yourself right now

Updated August 16, 2021

Healthy aging and longevity

A vaccine that can prevent shingles

Published August 1, 2021

The best way to avoid shingles and long-lasting pain that may result from it is to get the shingles vaccine (Shingrix), given in two doses. The vaccine contains a protein from a dead varicella-zoster virus. The shot is 90% effective and is recommended for adults ages 50 or older, even those who have had shingles before, received an older shingles vaccine called Zostavax, or don’t recall having had chickenpox. People should avoid the vaccine if they currently have shingles, are allergic to components of the vaccine, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Cancer

7 strategies to prevent cancer

Published August 1, 2021

Making healthy lifestyle changes can prevent an estimated 40% of cancers. These include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy body weight. People can also help prevent cancers by seeking recommended cancer screenings. Some screenings merely identify cancers early, but others, such as colonoscopies and Pap tests, can find precancerous conditions and are actually able to prevent cancer.

Pediatric health

New information for parents on myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccines

Published July 1, 2021

Reports of young people developing myocarditis and pericarditis after getting one of the mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 have made some parents reluctant to get their children vaccinated. It's understandable to worry about such a side effect, but before choosing not to vaccinate, it's important to look at the whole picture.

Pediatric health

Children not yet vaccinated against COVID-19? What to do

Published June 21, 2021

Now that many people have been vaccinated against COVID-19, it feels like things are starting to return to something resembling normal. But because the vaccines have not yet been approved for those under 12, families with children under this age need to be careful and thoughtful as they plan summer activities.

Healthy aging and longevity

3 things you can do about shingles

Updated June 14, 2021

Diseases & Conditions

Shaking off shingles