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As our understanding of medicine and the human body evolves, researchers continually provide us with new ways to protect ourselves against illness and disease. Medical treatments are constantly under development, including new vaccines. Recently, a patient told me she was nervous about getting a flu shot because her family didn’t believe in vaccines. Another patient wanted to get the flu shot, a COVID booster, and the shingles vaccine, but he was worried about “overloading” his system, so he asked whether he should spread them out. Deciding on the type and timing of treatment that works best for you depends on many factors: your values and beliefs, your lifestyle, your social and financial situation, and many other influences. A medical provider’s job is to help you make informed decisions, not to make decisions for you. Every day, all of us are bombarded by thousands of germs–through our eyes, nose, mouth, and skin. Over the course of human history, our immune systems have become incredibly adaptive. Each time we encounter a new assault (antigen), our immune systems build new tools (antibodies) to fight off infection. Getting several vaccines at once does not overload our systems. That said, some people have strong immune systems; others don’t. As a rule, babies and older adults cannot fight disease as easily as the rest of the population. Also, some people have conditions or are undergoing treatment that reduce their immune systems’ ability to respond. Babies’ immune systems aren’t as effective because they just haven’t been on the planet long enough to start building antibodies, so each new germ requires their immune system to start from scratch. As we age, our immune systems become sluggish, so it takes longer to build antibodies to defend against illness. Before we had so many effective vaccines, most people saw the effects of infectious diseases up close and personal. They watched, heartbroken, as their babies, grandparents, and other loved ones suffered and sometimes died. These days, we almost never see people using braces to manage the partial paralysis caused by polio. We do not see as many children rendered deaf by measles. We do not regularly hear about the brain damage caused by encephalitis after a bad bout of chicken pox. I think this is part of why there is so much hesitation about vaccines. Instead of comparing the risks of vaccines to the risk of these terrible diseases, people simply consider the inconvenience and potential risks of vaccination. Almost every medical treatment comes with some risk. Life is full of risk. The question is whether it is riskier to get vaccinated or to count on your immune system being able to fight off whatever infectious disease comes your way. Vaccines work by giving our immune systems a leg up. Some vaccines introduce our immune systems to weakened versions of germs so we can create antibodies. Others use messenger RNA to provide a recipe our cells can use to make proteins. Both prevent us from being walloped by the full force of a dangerous virus. So, even if vaccines cannot always prevent us from getting infected with the flu, COVID, or any number of other diseases, the vaccines can prevent us from serious illness or death. This is especially important for the most vulnerable people among us. When we all get vaccinated, we not only protect ourselves, we also protect those who cannot protect themselves. For us, maybe the flu means we have to take a couple of days off work. For the immunocompromised, the flu can be catastrophic. As science improves, we are better able to protect babies, pregnant people, and the elderly. New medical breakthroughs increase options and decrease the cost of treatment. For me, the benefits of vaccines vastly outweigh the risks. Anything I can do to prevent my family from suffering is worthwhile. If an angry badger came at my daughter, I wouldn’t say, “You’re on your own. Good luck with that.” I would do everything possible to protect her. Just because we cannot see germs with the naked eye doesn’t mean they aren’t coming for us. Vaccines are proven to protect people from illness and death. In addition to vaccines, this is a good time of year to boost the immune system with enough sleep, regular exercise, good nutrition, and lots of handwashing. If you think you’re getting a respiratory illness or that you’ll be around others who may be sick, throw on a mask. It’s not a perfect solution, but it helps. Justin Ebert, PA-C, is the medical director at MCHC Health Centers—a local, non-profit, federally qualified health center offering medical, dental, and behavioral health care to people in Lake and Mendocino Counties.