Nobody likes to get sick, and it’s even more frustrating when it could have been avoided. One of the best ways to avoid getting certain infections is to get vaccinated against them. This is especially important for children, older adults, and other people with immune systems that may not be at their full strength.

Two of the most common sicknesses that can be prevented with vaccines include the flu, and certain types of pneumonia. A study by the CDC estimates that over 200,000 people are hospitalized with the flu each year, and over 500,000 people visit the emergency room each year for pneumonia.

The flu is a constantly changing disease that often changes from one flu season to another, which means that last flu season’s vaccine often will not be effective for the next season. The flu shot does not cover every strain of the flu, however it covers the most common strains that effect most people in any given flu season. The flu season generally starts around October and goes through the end of February, but in some cases can as late as May, so it’s not too late to get this year’s flu shot.

Pneumonia can be a potentially life-threatening infection for people of all ages, and people in their 60s and above can be at increased risk. Fortunately, there are 2 vaccines that can help prevent some of the most common types of pneumonia. If you are age 65 and above, ask your doctor or pharmacist about getting the vaccines for pneumonia to stay protected against this serious type of infection.

There are also many more types of disease that can be prevented through vaccination. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist about the right time to get vaccinated, and which vaccines are right for you. Also be sure to get your children vaccinated if they are young. Childhood is an important time to get vaccinated to develop lifelong protection against many different types of disease.