Reduce the Risk of Infectious Diseases
Vaccinations are an essential part of your regular care. They safely boost your body’s ability to protect you from infectious diseases and keep you healthy.
Everyone from infants to older adults should stay up to date on their vaccinations for protection against diseases like:
During a wellness visit, your provider will make sure you have the recommended vaccinations based on your age and lifestyle.
Stay Up to Date on Your Vaccinations
Go to My Sanford Chart. Select the Schedule an Appointment button under the Find Care menu. Then select the option to schedule a vaccine visit.
Sanford Health offers vaccinations at clinics near you so you don't have to travel for care.Why are Vaccines Important?
Staying up to date on your vaccinations is important for protecting you and those around you from infectious diseases. Vaccines have different ways they protect your health. Some vaccinations can protect you from cancer, such as the HPV vaccine. Others can keep you from getting sick or reduce or eliminate your symptoms, such as the flu or COVID-19 vaccine.
For example, receiving the chickenpox vaccine at 12 months old can help reduce your chances of getting shingles later in life. Following the recommended immunization schedule helps you maintain your health as you age. If you are traveling internationally, you may need specific vaccinations to keep you protected from diseases that may not be common in the U.S. but are still common in other countries.
Are Vaccines Safe?
Like all medications, there are regulatory systems to ensure vaccines are safe. Vaccines must be tested and pre-approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are administered. The active ingredient in all vaccines is an antigen, which causes the immune system to make antibodies. The antigen could include a partial, weakened or dead form of the disease-causing virus or bacteria. Newer vaccines, such as COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, contain the blueprint for producing antigens instead of the active ingredient itself.
How do Vaccines Work?
Many vaccines work by injecting weakened or killed bacteria or viruses into the body. They show your body’s immune system how to fight the disease and produce antibodies without getting you sick.
Immunity takes time to develop, so you may become infected in the weeks following vaccination. A vaccinated person is far less likely to become seriously ill even if they become infected. Many vaccines require more than one dose.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines don’t include viruses or bacteria. They work by delivering a message to your cells that teaches them how to recognize a disease and fight it off.
Different vaccines are recommended for infants, children, teenagers and adults. View vaccination schedules below.
Immunization and Vaccination FAQs
Who should get vaccinated?
There are recommended vaccines for babies, children, teens and adults, including those who are pregnant. Talk to your primary care provider about which vaccines are recommended for you based on your age, health history and lifestyle.
Most often, you get vaccines:
- During infancy and childhood
- During pregnancy
- Over the age of 50, when you’re at higher risk for certain diseases
- When traveling to an area where certain illnesses are more common
- To maintain your immunity, such as through boosters
- Seasonally, such as the annual flu shot
Are vaccines effective?
Vaccinations offer protection from serious, life-threatening diseases, however, they don’t always prevent you from getting sick. Vaccinations also take time to build immunity in your body, so there is a chance that you could contract an illness after getting vaccinated, but the severity of symptoms is reduced. For some people, their immune system may not develop a strong or long-lasting response to vaccinations.
What are the most common vaccine side effects?
Side effects vary by vaccine, and most are minor, including a sore arm, low-grade fever, headache, tiredness and loss of appetite. Talk to your provider about any past reactions or concerns you have about potential side effects.
Do I need to get vaccinated for infectious diseases that are no longer common?
Yes. Though not common in the U.S., these diseases persist around the world. If you meet someone who has been exposed, you are at risk for contracting illness if you haven’t been vaccinated. By staying up to date on recommended vaccinations, you can protect yourself from contagious, life-threatening diseases.
Are vaccines covered by insurance?
Sanford Health accepts most insurance coverage.
Under the Affordable Care Act, health plans must cover standard vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. This includes vaccinations from routine childhood immunizations to updated tetanus shots for adults.
The Vaccines for Children program also provides vaccines to children at no cost. This federally funded initiative helps children who may not have access to vaccinations because of an inability to pay. State programs vary for those who are uninsured or who have limited coverage.
How can I receive a copy of my immunization records?
Contact your primary care provider for your vaccination records. If you have received vaccinations at multiple clinics, contact your state’s health department.
Do vaccines cause autism?
No. Vaccines do not cause autism and there is no evidence to support this connection. There was a study in the late 1990s that linked the MMR vaccine to autism, which has since been discredited.
Measles, Whooping Cough and HPV Vaccines
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Anyone can get whooping cough and become seriously ill, especially infants and young children.
When should children and adults get the whooping cough vaccine?
Most children get the whooping cough vaccine starting at 2 months old. It's often combined with vaccines for two other diseases, diphtheria and tetanus. The combination vaccine, called DTaP, is given in a series of five shots at these ages:
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 15 to 18 months
- 4 to 6 years
It's important to make sure your child has the full series of whooping cough vaccinations to stay protected from serious illness.
Because the vaccine's effects may start to fade by age 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of Tdap for:
- Preteens between the ages of 11 and 12
- Pregnant women during 27 to 36 weeks of each pregnancy
- Adults ages 18 and older who have never been vaccinated, followed by a booster shot every 10 years
If you have a newborn or spend a lot of time around babies, it’s especially important to be protected against whooping cough. Contact your primary care provider to schedule a visit to get the Tdap vaccine and to help prevent the spread of whooping cough.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 200 related viruses. It’s the most common STI in the U.S. with 85% of people getting HPV in their lifetime.
More than 40% of HPV cancers occur among men. Nine out of every 10 cases of cervical cancer are caused by HPV.
The HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV. Since its introduction, there has been a decrease in HPV infections, genital warts and cervical pre-cancers.
Does HPV go away on its own?
For most people, HPV clears up on its own. For others, the virus can linger and cause complications.
Who should get the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine series is recommended for everyone starting between the ages of 9 and 12. If anyone ages 13 through 26 hasn’t been fully vaccinated yet, they should get the HPV vaccine. For those between the ages of 27 and 45 who aren’t fully vaccinated, the vaccine can still offer some benefits.
How many shots do you get?
The vaccine series is two doses given 6 to 12 months apart. Individuals who start the vaccine at or after the age of 15 will need three doses given 6 months apart.
Is the vaccine safe?
Yes. There are more than 15 years of vaccine safety data available and more than 135 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been given in the U.S.
Measles
What is measles?
Measles is a very contagious viral illness, also known as rubeola. It causes a distinct rash and fever. Measles spreads through direct contact with droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It sometimes also spreads through the air.
Symptoms appear 7-14 days after contact with the virus. Measles often starts with cold-like symptoms, including:
- High fever
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Red, watery eyes
- Red rash, often starting on the face before spreading to the rest of the body
What are possible complications of measles?
Measles can lead to serious complications or even death.
Complications may include:
- Middle ear infection that may lead to hearing loss
- Infection of the lungs (pneumonia)
- Infection of the upper airway with trouble breathing and cough
- Diarrhea
- Infection of the brain (encephalitis)
When should children and adults get the measles (MMR) vaccine?
Children should be vaccinated for measles with two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine:
- First dose at 12 to 15 months old
- Second dose at 4 to 6 years old
People who received two doses in childhood do not need a booster.
Adults who were not vaccinated as children should receive one dose of the vaccine. Learn more about measles.
Vaccine Schedule
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COVID, RSV, flu and whooping cough vaccines available now
Sanford Health encourages everyone to make sure your vaccinations are up to date