What are immunizations?
Immunizations help protect you from pathogens that cause infection. They expose your immune system to dead or weakened organisms, which causes your body to create antibodies that fight against pathogens, so your immune system can eliminate a specific virus or disease such as measles, mumps, polio, or whooping cough.
All immunizations expose you to a safe form of a particular disease. They do this by using ingredients such as:
- A protein from a pathogen
- A sugar from a pathogen
- A toxoid containing toxin made by a pathogen
- A weakened pathogen
Once an immunization enters your bloodstream, your body starts developing an adaptive immune response.
It’s important that as many people as possible receive immunizations. When enough people receive immunizations, it creates herd immunity. Herd immunity protects vulnerable individuals who can’t receive immunizations.
What are the different types of immunizations?
Family Medical Center offers a wide variety of immunizations, including:
- Hepatitis B
- Rotavirus
- Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTaP)
- Inactivated polio vaccine
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis A
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Meningococcal conjugate
Family Medical Center also offers annual flu shots, immunizations for school, and travel vaccinations. Not all services may be covered by insurance, so be sure to check with your insurance provider.
Are immunizations safe?
Yes. Immunizations are safe and well-tolerated. Before being released to the general public, each immunization undergoes rigorous testing and review by government bodies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Side effects from immunizations are incredibly rare and there’s no correlation between immunizations and autism. The greatest risk associated with immunizations is not getting them. If you don’t, you’re more likely to get sick and infect those around you.
What immunizations do I need?
To determine the type of immunizations you or your child needs, make an appointment at Family Medical Center. Following a physical exam and review of your medical history, your provider can make recommendations that align with your individual needs or the needs of your family.
Children should begin receiving immunizations shortly after birth, and adults can receive boosters or immunizations at any time.
For adult or child immunizations, request an appointment at Family Medical Center by calling the office or clicking the online scheduling tool today.
