At Crawford County Memorial Hospital, our priority is not just treating illness, but preventing it before it begins. Vaccinations are among the most effective tools for proactive healthcare. Understanding how vaccinations work and why they are necessary is the first step in maintaining the health of our families and our community.
How Vaccines Work
Vaccines function by introducing a small, harmless component of a specific virus or bacteria—known as an antigen—into the body. This antigen is either a weakened version of the germ, a dead version, or a small piece of its protein. Because the germ is inactive or incomplete, it cannot cause the actual disease.
Once the vaccine enters the body, your immune system recognizes these antigens as foreign invaders. In response, your white blood cells produce specialized proteins called antibodies that are specifically designed to neutralize that particular germ.
After the antibodies have successfully cleared the vaccine’s antigens, your body creates memory cells. These cells stay in your system for years, keeping a record of exactly how to fight that specific disease. If you are exposed to the actual, active illness in the future, your memory cells recognize it immediately. Your body can then produce a massive amount of antibodies so quickly that the infection is stopped before you ever show symptoms or feel sick.
Infants and Children Vaccinations
It’s important for your child to have a healthy start. The childhood immunization schedule is carefully designed to protect babies at the exact moment their natural immunity begins to fade. (View the Child Immunization Schedule on our website: Pediatrics – Crawford County Memorial Hospital)
Some parents worry about “too many shots too soon,” but the truth is that children encounter more germs just by playing in the backyard than they do in a vaccine. Choosing to vaccinate is the safest way to build a child’s strength without the dangerous risks that come with getting the actual disease.
Vaccines aren’t just for Kids
As we grow older, our bodies change, and so do our needs for protection. Many adult vaccinations are about “maintenance”—making sure your defenses stay strong as the years go by.
- Boosters: Some protections, like the one for Tetanus and Whooping Cough (Tdap), fade over time. Getting a booster every 10 years ensures you stay protected and prevents you from accidentally passing whooping cough to a new baby in the family.
- New Protections: As we reach age 50 or 65, we become more at risk for things like Shingles or Pneumonia. These vaccines are designed to keep you out of the hospital and keep you active and independent in your own home.
- Annual Care: The flu virus changes from year to year. Getting an annual vaccination is the most effective way to ensure your immune system is prepared to fight the specific strains of the virus that are most active during the current season.
CCMH is your Trusted Local Resource
At CCMH, we believe the best care starts with a conversation. You don’t need to rely on confusing headlines or social media for medical advice. Our local doctors and pediatrician—the people you see in our community—are here to answer your questions with honesty and empathy.
Staying up to date on vaccines saves our families from missed workdays, expensive hospital stays, and unnecessary worry. Keep your family and community safe and healthy, one shot at a time.
Is your family up to date? Call the CCMH Medical Clinic at 712-265-2700 to schedule an appointment.
