Winter brings a renewed emphasis on visiting a primary care physician for vaccinations for preventative care.

As the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) state, immunizations remain a vital part of the nation’s fight against infectious diseases. The group reported in August that vaccinations have “generally very rare or minor” side effects adverse to patients. The institute notes adverse health effects after vaccination may also be due to coincidence and not a result of receiving a shot.

The report was commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to study the effects of eight vaccines. The IOM reviewed varicella zoster, influenza, hepatitis B, HPV, MMR, hepatitis A, meningococcal and those that contain tetanus. Researches examined whether adverse effects “casually linked to a specific vaccine.”

Results indicated the majority of cases showed inadequate evidence that a relationship existed between vaccinations and resulting sickness. The committee concluded that few health problems are actually caused by immunizations. To know if you have been adversely affected by a vaccine, consult a highly rated doctor to review your health.