Immunology 101 Series: The Science Behind Flu Vaccines…and Why You Need One Every Year

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By Aimee Pugh-Bernard, PhD

In the tenth installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain the science behind the vaccines for influenza.

It’s that time of year again. You guessed it – time to get your annual flu shot! As an immunologist I relish this time of year. The flu shot lets me train my immune system to defend me against the flu virus. I must admit that I call my children’s pediatrician office every year in late August and sign up for the first flu shot clinic available. I make sure that my family will have an immune army built, trained, and ready to defend us long before influenza (aka ‘the flu’) makes it to Denver! I do this because I know that the vaccines for influenza are safe and effective and that illness from the flu is very serious and potentially deadly. As a scientist who has read the literature, I understand that the risk from the flu shot is minimal compared to the danger of becoming sick from the flu.

Most people I encounter who are skeptical about the flu vaccine have the same questions. They often wonder why we need to get a flu shot every year, if the flu shot can actually give you the flu (spoiler alert – no!), and if the flu is even really a serious disease (spoiler alert – yes!).
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Immunology 101 Series: Adjuvants, Aluminum, and Gelatin! Oh My! The Scientific Scoop on Vaccine Ingredients

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By Aimee Pugh-Bernard, PhD

Are the ingredients in vaccines necessary and useful? YES!

All of the ingredients within vaccines are vital and play a role in important things like helping the immune system respond, maintaining the longevity of the vaccine itself, and keeping the vaccine safe from contamination.

In the ninth installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain the science behind the ingredients in vaccines. [Read more…]

October is Health Literacy Month

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Better Communication About Vaccines Can Increase Vaccination Rates and Improve Health Literacy

By Jeanine Limone Draut, Principal, InPraxis Communications

Flu season crept up on me this year, and it dawned on me last week that it was time for my family to get our annual flu shots.

I went to the pediatrician’s website to find out when the flu shot clinic would take place. Buried under the “News” section of the site was “Influenza Vaccine Information.” I clicked on the link, and this is what I found: [Read more…]

Immunology 101 Series: Why Mild Vaccine Side Effects Are a Good Thing

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By Aimee Pugh-Bernard, PhD

Tenderness and swelling? Good! These mild side effects tell us that the immune system is working.

In the seventh installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain the science behind the side effects of immunization.

Have you ever noticed that soon after you or your child receive an immunization the injection site may appear to be red and slightly swollen? These mild side effects are extremely common and occur not only after injections, but also after cuts or scratches on our skin. Although the injection site may be tender for a day or two, it is important to understand that these side effects are signs that the immune system is working. Redness and swelling tell us that our immune cells are responding to the pathogenic components in the vaccine and have begun training to provide long-lasting protection.

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Immunology 101 Series: Do Too Many Vaccines Too Soon Overwhelm the Immune System?

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By Aimee Pugh-Bernard, PhD

In the sixth installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain why the immunization schedule begins at precisely the right time (i.e. starting just after birth) and does not overwhelm the immune system.

Have you ever taken your child to the pediatrician’s office and questioned the number of immunizations recommended per visit?  Maybe you’re concerned that your infant’s immune system is not yet ready to train against a variety of pathogens or that too many vaccines will overwhelm your child’s immune system. Whatever your concerns might be, read on to find out the scientific facts and answers from Aimee. [Read more…]

Questions and Answers About Pertussis (Whooping Cough) with Sean O’Leary, MD

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In light of the recent pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic occurring in Colorado, we asked Dr. Sean O’Leary, a pediatrician and pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, to answer your most commonly asked questions about pertussis. Read on to learn how you can keep your family healthy and protected. [Read more…]

Immunology 101 Series: What’s the Deal with Combination Vaccines and Booster Shots?

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By Aimee Pugh-Bernard, PhD

In the fifth installment of the Immunology 101 Series, Aimee will explain why some vaccines are given together as combination vaccines and why some vaccines need one or more booster shots to provide complete protection. As you may recall from earlier blog posts, vaccines are created after years of research and undergo several phases of testing to be deemed safe and effective. All of this holds true for combination vaccines as well as those that require boosters – they are recommended in various forms to be safe and to provide the best protection possible.

While visiting your pediatrician or reviewing the American Academy of Pediatrics Immunization Schedule, you may have wondered why some vaccines are combined and why some vaccines need one or more booster shots at a later date. The answers to these questions can be found below – read on to find out more! [Read more…]

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