Prevention is the best possible treatment. Are you confused about immunizations? Give us a call. We are committed in educating the community. We will help you decide what is best for you and your family. We offer a variety of recommended immunizations for children, adults and seniors, including:
- Influenza (Flu)
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
- Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap)
- HPV
- Zoster (Shingles)
- Pneumonia
- Hepatitis
- Meningococcal
- INFLUENZA (Flu)
- MEASLES, MUMPS, RUBELLA (MMR)
- TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA, PERTUSSIS (TDAP)
- HPV
- SHINGLES
- PNEUMONIA
- HEPATITIS A
- MENINGOCOCCAL
Influenza (flu) is a communicable respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and on occasions can also lead to death. The flu usually comes on suddenly, patients often experience fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea and tiredness. Elderly citizens, young children, and people with certain specific health conditions, are at increasing risk for serious flu complications and the best prophylactic measure is getting vaccinated each year with flu shot. The flu shot is an inactivated vaccine and it protects against the major influenza virus strains (H1N1, H3N2, Influenza B virus). The CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get a flu shot this season, including healthy people, and people with chronic conditions. In general, it is recommended that anyone who wants to reduce his or her chances of getting the flu should be vaccinated. It's especially important for some people to get vaccinated, including: People who have certain medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease, pregnant women; people 65 years and older.
Measles, mumps, and rubella are highly contagious viral diseases that have the potential to be very serious. They can be spread through contact with an infected person through the air. The measles virus causes fever, cough, runny nose, pink eye, rash and in rare cases can cause pneumonia. The mumps virus usually causes fever, headache, and swollen glands. It can lead to deafness, meningitis, painful swelling of the testicles or ovaries and, rarely, death. Rubella causes rash, low-grade fever, and arthritis. If a pregnant woman gets rubella she could have a miscarriage or her baby could be born with serious birth defects. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a recommended childhood vaccine. This three-in-one vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, and is required for children to enter school in most states. Children need two doses of the vaccine, while adults who need it should get at least one dose. CDC advises children should get the first dose of MMR vaccine at 12-15 months of age, and the second dose at 4-6 years of age. Children can actually get the second dose at any age, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose. Adults who have not been vaccinated nor had the diseases, or don't know if they've been vaccinated or had the diseases, and who meet any of the following criteria, should get at least one dose: Work in a medical facility, Women planning to or who may become pregnant, however women should avoid getting pregnant within 4 weeks of getting the MMR vaccine.
The Tdap vaccine protects against three bacterial illnesses: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Tetanus is a dangerous nerve ailment caused by the toxin of a common bacterium often found in soil. This bacterium can also exist in environments and enters the body through cuts, scratches or wounds. Diphtheria is highly contagious and is spread by coughing and sneezing. It is a respiratory disease that typically causes a sore throat, fever, swollen glands and weakness. It can also cause paralysis, heart failure, and death. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious illness spread by contact with droplets coughed out by someone with the disease, or by contact with recently contaminated hard surfaces upon which the droplets have landed. Early symptoms include runny nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. After this stage, the most common symptom is intense bouts of coughing in which the gasping person makes a "whoop" sound when inhaling between coughs. Tdap is recommended as a booster for adolescents 11–12 year olds and for adults who are in contact with infants and also for pregnant women. The Tdap vaccine can protect adolescents and adults against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. Td (Tetanus Booster) vaccine can protect against tetanus and diphtheria, and has been used for many years as booster doses for adolescents and adults.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is given as a series of 3 injections over 6 months. It helps protect patients under age 26 against cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancers caused by 9 types of the human papillomavirus (HPV). This vaccination also helps to protect against genital warts. Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives. Most HPV infections don't cause any symptoms, and go away on their own. But HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. In the United States, about 12,000 women get cervical cancer every year. HPV is also associated with several less common cancers, such as vaginal and vulvar cancers in women and other types of cancer in both men and women. It can also cause genital warts and warts in the throat. There is no cure for HPV infection, but some of the problems it causes can be treated. The HPV vaccine is available for the prevention of the diseases caused by the human papillomavirus. The vaccine can be given to both females and males to prevent HPV infection. This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer in females, if it is given before exposure to the virus. In addition, it can prevent vaginal and vulvar cancer in females, and genital warts and anal cancer in both males and females. Protection from HPV vaccine is expected to be long-lasting. Vaccination is not a substitute for cervical cancer screening however, and women should still get regular Pap tests.
There are currently three HPV vaccines: GARDASIL, GARDASIL-9, and CERVARIX. Each vaccine offers coverage against a number of HPV types which are associated with various cancers and infections. Each vaccine is a three-dose series administered over six months. The second and third doses should be given at two and six months (respectively) after the first dose. The HPV vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines. All kids who are 11 or 12 years old should get the three dose series of HPV vaccine. Teen boys and girls who did not get the vaccine when they were younger should get it now.
Shingles (herpes zoster) is a painful skin rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox and is far more common in people 50 years of age and older. At least 1 million people a year in the United States get shingles. If you had prior infection with chickenpox, the virus remains in your body in a dormant or inactive stage. If the virus becomes active again you may get shingles. Age, increased stress, and problems with the immune system may increase your chances of getting shingles. The shingles rash usually occurs on one side of the body, in a line along a nerve pathway. The rash begins as a tingling in the area then forms a cluster of small red spots that often blister. The rash can be painful. Shingles rashes can last 2-4 weeks, but in some people the nerve pain can last for months. For most people, the pain associated with the rash lessens as it heals. Other symptoms of shingles can include fever, headache, chills and upset stomach. In some people, severe complications include pneumonia, blindness, hearing problems, brain inflammation, and even death.
The shingles vaccine has been proven to reduce the risk of shingles by 50%. The shingles vaccine can also reduce pain in people who still get shingles after being vaccinated. A single dose of the shingles vaccine is FDA approved for adults 50 years of age and older.
Pneumococcal vaccine-preventable pneumonia is a lung disease caused by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that can infect the upper respiratory tract and can spread to the blood, lungs, middle ear or nervous system. Pneumonia is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States. Pneumococcal pneumonia mainly causes illnesses in children younger than 2 years of age and adults 65 years of age or older. The elderly are especially at risk of becoming seriously ill and dying from this disease. Also, people with certain medical conditions such as chronic heart, lung, liver diseases or sickle cell anemia, asplenia, and HIV are at increased risk for getting pneumococcal pneumonia.
The pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine protects against the 23 most common types of streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (PPSV23) and the pneumonia (pneumococcal) conjugate vaccine protects against 13 types of streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria (PCV13), including those most likely to cause serious disease. New recommendations state that two doses (one polysaccharide and one conjugate) of pneumonia vaccine are needed, but under some circumstances additional doses may be recommended.
Hepatitis A is a virus that infects the liver and the best way to protect against hepatitis A is to get vaccinated. Agevital provide the vaccine to children 24 months and older and to adults. It is administered in one primary dose and a second booster dose, usually 6 months apart. Hepatitis A is one of several types of hepatitis viruses that cause inflammation affecting your liver's ability to function. It is usually spread through the ingestion of contaminated food or water or close contact including sexual relations with someone who is already infected. Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or before preparing food can help prevent the spread of hepatitis A. The Hepatitis A vaccine is the best way to prevent infection and is safe and effective. The vaccine, given in two doses six months apart and both shots are needed for long-term protection. The CDC recommends all children at age 1 year; travelers to countries that have high rates of hepatitis A; men who have sexual contact with other men; people with lifelong liver diseases; People who are treated with clotting-factor concentrates for hemophilia or another medical condition; people who work with hepatitis A infected animals or in a hepatitis A research laboratory should get Hepatitis A vaccine.
Meningitis is a rare but serious infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and is caused by meningococcal disease, a bacterial illness. Symptoms can include fever, stiff neck, eye sensitivity to light, purple-spotted rash, a drop in blood pressure, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Meningitis is potentially fatal. Even with antibiotic treatment, 10-15% of infected people can die. And as many as 20% of people who survive the infection can be expected to lose a limb, become deaf, or have serious long-term medical conditions.
The meningitis vaccine protects against meningococcal disease, which is a serious bacterial illness. Many colleges and boarding schools require it to protect students living in dorms. It is recommended that 11–12 year olds be vaccinated with meningococcal conjugate vaccine with a booster dose given at age 16.The meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) can prevent four types of meningococcal disease. This vaccine protects about 90% of people who get it. This vaccine is not indicated for treatment of meningococcal infections. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all 11-12 years old children be vaccinated with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and booster dose should be given at age 16 years. For adolescents who receive the first dose at age 13 through 15 years, a one-time booster dose should be administered, preferably at age 16 through 18 years, before the peak in increased risk. Adolescents who receive their first dose of MCV4 at or after age 16 years do not need a booster dose. In addition, the meningitis vaccine is recommended for stduents living in dormitories, U.S. military recruits, microbiologists who are routinely exposed to meningococcal bacteria and anyone travelling to, or living in, a part of the world where meningococcal disease is common, such as parts of Africa.