Immunizations are an effective way to fight against and prevent dangerous diseases and viruses. At Emediate Cure, we offer a variety of immunizations to protect you and your family. During your visit, we will answer any questions and provide you with information about the benefits and possible side effects. Below are some of the immunizations we offer. If you have questions about a specific vaccination, please contact us in advance.
Tdap and Td
What are tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis?
They are all very serious diseases for children, adolescents and adults.
Tetanus (Lockjaw): Bacteria in soil enter through a cut, creating an infection. Sufferers experience painful tightening of muscles and may be unable to open mouth and swallow.
Diphtheria: Highly contagious infection of respiratory tract. Leads to weakness, sore throat, swollen glands. Severe cases can affect the heart.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Highly contagious infection of respiratory tract. Causes excessive coughing fits. Infants are most at risk for life-threatening complications.
Who should get vaccinated:
The CDC recommends:
11 through 18 years: Tdap as a single dose preferably between 11 and 12 years. If not fully vaccinated, we recommend that patients check the catch-up schedule.
Adolescents 13-18: Who missed getting Tdap at 11-12, should have a dose administered at the earliest opportunity.
19 years and older : Anyone who did not receive a dose of Tdap should get one as soon as possible.
Pregnant Women: Should get a dose of Tdap preferably at 27 through 36 weeks gestation.
All Adults should receive a Td booster every 10 years.
Who should NOT get vaccinated or should wait?
Talk to your medical provider if you:
- Had a life-threatening allergic reaction, or severe pain or swelling after a dose of any tetanus, diphtheria, or pertussis containing vaccine, or any part of this vaccine
- Have epilepsy or another nervous system problem
- Ever had Guillain Barré Syndrome (GBS)
- Are experiencing moderate-to-severe illness
Side effects
A vaccine, like any medicine, can cause serious problems, such as severe allergic reactions. Such reactions, however, are very rare. Mild side effects could include soreness, redness, and possibly swelling at the site of the vaccination, as well as mild fever, headache and fatigue.
Meningococcal Vaccination (Menactra)
What is Meningitis?
Meningitis is a rare infection that affects the delicate membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. There are several types of this disease, including bacterial, viral, and fungal. Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and spreads between people in close contact with each other.
Viral meningitis tends to be less severe, and most people recover completely without treatment. Meningitis is almost always caused by a bacterial or viral infection that begins somewhere else in the body besides the brain, like your ears, sinuses, or throat.
Who should get vaccinated:
CDC recommends vaccination with a meningococcal conjugate vaccine for all preteens and teens at 11 to 12 years old, with a booster dose at 16 years old. Teens and young adults (16 through 23 years old) also may be vaccinated with a serogroup B meningococcal vaccine.
Who should not get vaccinated or should wait?
- Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction after a previous dose of a meningococcal vaccine should not get another dose of that vaccine.
- Anyone who has a severe allergy to any part of these vaccines should not get another dose of that vaccine.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Meningococcal conjugate vaccines may be given to pregnant women who are at increased risk for serogroup A, C, W, or Y meningococcal disease.
- If you or your child are not feeling well. People who have a mild illness, such as a cold, can probably get the vaccine. People who are moderately or severely ill should probably wait until they recover.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
What are Measles, Mumps and Rubella?
Measles, Mumps and Rubella are all very contagious diseases caused by a virus. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with a fever. Soon after, it causes a cough, runny nose, and red eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
Mumps typically start with fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, and loss of appetite. Then, most people will have swelling of their salivary glands. This is what causes the puffy cheeks and a tender, swollen jaw.
Rubella is also called German measles, but it is caused by a different virus than measles. Most people who get rubella usually have mild illness, with symptoms that can include a low-grade fever, sore throat, and a rash that starts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.
Some people may also have a headache, pink eye, and general discomfort before the rash appears. Rubella can cause a miscarriage or serious birth defects in an unborn baby if a woman is infected while she is pregnant.
Who should get vaccinated?
The CDC recommends that people get the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children should get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age. Teens and adults also should also be up to date on their MMR vaccination.
Who should NOT get vaccinated or should wait?
- Anyone who has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the antibiotic neomycin, or any other component of MMR vaccine, should not get the vaccine. Tell your provider if you have any severe allergies.
- Anyone who had a life-threatening allergic reaction to a previous dose of the MMR or MMRV vaccine should not get another dose.
- Some people who are sick at the time the shot is scheduled may be advised to wait until they recover before getting the MMR vaccine.
- Pregnant women should not get the MMR vaccine. Pregnant women who need the vaccine should wait until after giving birth. Women should avoid getting pregnant for 4 weeks after vaccination with the MMR vaccine.
- Tell your provider if the person getting the vaccine:
- Has HIV/AIDS, or another disease that affects the immune system
- Is being treated with drugs that affect the immune system, such as steroids
- Has any kind of cancer
- Is being treated for cancer with radiation or drugs
- Has ever had a low platelet count (a blood disorder)
- Has gotten another vaccine within the past 4 weeks
- Has recently had a transfusion or received other blood products
- Any of these might be a reason to not get the vaccine, or delay vaccination until later
Flu (Influenza)
What is the flu?
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and can lead to hospitalization and death.
Every year in the United States, millions of people are sickened, hundreds of thousands are hospitalized and thousands or tens of thousands of people die from the flu. Anyone can get the flu (even healthy people) and serious problems related to the flu can happen at any age.
Who should get vaccinated:
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccine every season.
Who should NOT get vaccinated or should wait?
Children younger than 6 months old and people with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any of its ingredients should not receive the immunization.
People who should talk to their provider before getting the flu shot:
- People who have an allergy to eggs or other vaccine ingredients
- People who have ever had Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- People who are feeling ill
Screening/Testing for TB (Tuberculosis)
What is TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Not everyone infected with TB bacteria becomes sick. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: latent TB infection (LTBI) and TB disease. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal.
Symptoms of TB disease depend on where in the body the TB bacteria are growing. TB bacteria usually grow in the lungs. TB disease in the lungs may cause symptoms such as a bad cough that lasts 3 weeks or longer, pain in the chest, coughing up blood or sputum. Other symptoms of TB disease are weakness or fatigue, weight loss, no appetite, chills, fever, and/or sweating at night.
People who have latent TB infection do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB to others.
Who should get tested?
The United States does not offer vaccination against TB. However, some employers and schools will require TB testing as a screening tool for latent and active disease. We offer both one and two step TB testing.
One step TB testing will require a 48-72 hour follow up after administration. Two step testing involves multiple follow ups and will be discussed at your first visit. You should always confirm which testing is required prior to being seen by a healthcare provider.
Who should not get tested?
- Patients who have received a BCG (bacille Calmette-Guérin) vaccination. If you have had a BCG vaccination, you may have a positive PPD skin test even though you don’t have TB.
- Patients who are taking medicines that suppress the immune system, such as corticosteroids.
- Patients who have conditions that weaken the immune system, such as HIV infection or cancer. The result also may be affected if a person is severely malnourished.
- Patients who have received a vaccination for infections, such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, or chickenpox, given within 6 weeks before the tuberculin test. A recent infection with one of these viruses can also interfere with test results for a short period of time. The skin test also may be positive if the person has an infection caused by a mycobacterium other than the one that causes TB.
- Patients who have had a very recent TB infection. It takes 2 to 10 weeks for the immune system to react to TB bacteria.
- Patients aged younger than 3 months old. A baby’s immune system is not fully developed at this age.