Immunizations and Vaccines
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Vaccines protect our most vulnerable populations from serious illness. There is no disputing it: vaccines save lives.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says vaccinations prevent millions of hospitalizations and deaths. These medications have been proven safe and effective in protecting public health. Therefore, vaccination is the most important thing we can do to protect ourselves and others from illness.
AMA Medical Group offers adult immunizations to better protect our patients in every stage of their adult lives.
Which Immunizations Are Recommended?
Vaccines are important during every stage of life. They prevent deadly communicable diseases, including chickenpox, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, polio, and more. The CDC recommends immunizations throughout our lives to help keep everyone just a little safer.
It’s recommended that the tetanus shot stays up-to-date throughout a person’s lifetime. The flu shot is also recommended every year. Older Americans should receive an inoculation to protect them from infections in the lungs and bloodstream (pneumococcal vaccines) as well as the Zoster vaccine to prevent shingles. These are just a few examples of the types of immunizations available today that are essential in keeping everyone safer and healthier.
Are Vaccines Safe?
Vaccines are both highly safe and highly effective with few side effects. They do not overload or weaken the immune system and do not cause allergies or other conditions. Vaccines do not contain mercury either, which is another common misconception about the safety of immunizations today.
What vaccines can do is strengthen your immunity by using the body’s natural defenses to build up resistance to dangerous and deadly diseases. Vaccines promote the production of antibodies, which are the immune systems “fighter pilots” sent out to kill off diseases. The typical vaccine consists of weakened or killed forms of viruses or bacteria that trigger the immune system’s response. They do not cause the disease or put you at risk of developing it.
Immunizations prevent infectious diseases and are rigorously tested by the scientific community. The side effects of a vaccine are typically nothing worse than a slight pain and tenderness at the injection site. Mild flu symptoms may occur which can be treated with over-the-counter pain medications.
Which Vaccines Does AMA Medical Group Offer?
Some of the typical vaccinations offered by the clinical team at AMA Medical Group include the following: B-12 injections, the COVID-19 vaccine, and the flu vaccine.
B-12 Injections
Vitamin B-12 is an essential vitamin in the body that contributes to:
- DNA synthesis
- Energy production
- Nerve cell health
- Neurological function
- Red blood cell formation
Some patients may lack the necessary B-12 they need. This could be caused by anemia or other types of illness, the result of a nutrition deficiency, or a side effect of medications. Common signs of a B-12 deficiency include:
- Constipation
- Depression or irritability
- Fatigue
- Feeling faint
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
- Memory problems
- Mouth ulcers
- Sore, swollen tongue
- Vision changes
Vitamin B-12 injections are made up of a water-soluble B complex vitamin. You can find this vitamin naturally in several foods such as dairy, fish, or meat products. It’s also available as a dietary supplement.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Since 2020, COVID-19 has ravaged the global population. With the release of the COVID-19 vaccine, many people have slowly begun to return to some of their normal activities from before the pandemic. The facts about the COVID-19 immunization are:
- The vaccine is safe and effective at preventing severe illness and death caused by COVID-19
- The vaccine reduces the chances of your spreading this deadly disease to others
- You may have side effects from the vaccine that go away in a few days
- You are not fully protected until two weeks after the final dose is given
If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, contact us to talk through your options.
Flu Vaccine
The CDC recommends that everyone get a flu vaccine every fall. Influenza infects and even kills millions of people each year. A flu vaccine can help you fend off the influenza virus if you are exposed, and it reduces the severity of your symptoms should you get the flu. The flu vaccine can keep you from missing work or school, and it can help stop the spread of these illnesses.
The flu vaccine does not cause the flu. Scientists design the flu shot each year to protect against the four most highly anticipated strains of flu each fall. After you are vaccinated, your body’s immune system gets stronger and then takes over the job of protecting you.
Contact Us
Immunizations are the best way to protect you and your loved ones from illness. AMA Medical Group is standing by with preventative treatments like vaccines to help keep our patients healthier this year. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (727) 331-8740 to schedule an appointment.
