With the calendar turning from August to September, summer is officially a thing of the past. Understanding the value of preventative medicine is always important, but some seasons are even more demanding than others. With this in mind, the healthcare providers here at Family Practice Center wanted to share some helpful information on some of the most essential immunizations for patients this fall.
The most notable immunization for the fall season is a flu shot. Every year, millions of Americans get the flu, leading to hundreds of thousands of flu-related hospitalizations and even thousands of deaths. Needless to say, the flu is not something to take lightly. That’s why receiving an annual flu shot is so important. Flu shots work by helping the body build-up antibodies to help combat flu germs and prevent the illness from developing in the body. We recommend for all patients 6 months of age and older receive an annual influenza immunization.
The earlier in the flu season that a person receives their immunization, the less time they will be vulnerable to potentially dangerous flu germs. It takes 2 weeks for the antibodies from a flu shot to begin protecting against the flu. Many healthcare providers suggest getting a flu shot by the end of October, however, we will begin offering flu shots in September to help our patients get a jump on flu season.
Additionally, the viral infection known as shingles can be a very painful and frustrating experience. We offer an outstanding shingles vaccine known as Shingrix that can help adult patients avoid this nasty infection before it ever occurs. The Shingrix vaccine, the newest and most up-to-date shingles vaccine, is recommended for adults over the age of 50 who have had chicken pox in the past. The immunization will require two doses of Shingrix, separated by 2 to 6 months.
Receiving these immunizations can be a great way to feel your very best this fall and beyond by avoiding preventable illness and infection. Immunizations at Family Practice Center are performed by our skilled and experienced healthcare providers and are very safe for patients of all ages. For more information or to schedule an appointment today, please contact Family Practice Center. And follow us on Facebook and Twitter for additional health tips, news, practice updates, and more.