text: what are booster shots for? what's the use of them? booster shots are given to children in order to "boost" their immune systems. before the children have the shots they have no defense against many of the common illnesses or those that have been detrimental to our society in the past. by giving them these shots, the children are exposed to the sickness so that their bodies can produce antibodies for that disease or illness. this leads to a healthy child!