Vaccinations Aren't Needed as Frequently as Recommended

Do Americans get too many vaccinations? In a recent press release, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that people in America get vaccinations without needing them.

Researchers determined that when we get a vaccination against many different diseases, the protection provided by that vaccination lasts far longer than had been previously estimated. Therefore, if our body is protected against a specific virus and we get a booster shot, the booster vaccine is not actually needed.

In addition to being over-vaccinated, vaccines are also expensive. Simply changing the recommendation concerning when booster shots are needed would save millions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs.

Blood analyzed for protection against several viruses
Blood samples were analyzed and evaluated to see whether or not the blood showed evidence of providing protection against specific diseases. Researchers checked for protection against chickenpox (Varicella-zoster virus), diphtheria, measles, mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), mumps, rubella, and tetanus.

Findings
The researchers determined that protection against several different viruses remain in our bodies for years, if not decades.

Tetanus
Many people are currently advised to get a tetanus vaccine or booster shot anywhere between every five to 10 years. Yet, researchers determined that tetanus protection lasts for decades.

Measles, mumps, and rubella
These viruses are generally thought of as childhood illnesses. In years past, children who came down with these viruses were generally protected for life. It was extremely rare to hear of a person who got a second case of measles, mumps, or rubella. This indicates that virus protection against measles, mumps, and rubella is good for many decades, if not for one's entire life.