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Vaccines and Boosters Every Adult Should Have

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Vaccines and Boosters Every Adult Should Have

Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your family from getting life-threatening illnesses, and modern medicine has made many of those diseases extinct, or at least rare. But in order to stay safe, you need to make sure your immunizations are up-to-date because even adults need a booster now and then.

Dr. Joseph Goin and Dr. Anne Garrison at Calvary Urgent Care in Humble, Texas, can evaluate your vaccination history and help you determine what you’re missing (if anything). Whether you received all the shots you needed when you were a child and just need a booster, you’re planning to travel and need to stay safe overseas, or you’re new to this country and need to comply with immigration regulations, we can help. Here’s how.

ALL ADULTS

At Calvary Urgent Care, we recommend that all adults get certain shots regardless of age or condition.

FLU SHOTS

We strongly urge you to get the flu shot every year. The flu can be very serious, affecting millions of people worldwide and killing thousands . Because the virus changes annually, researchers determine which types of flu viruses are likely to be most common during any given season, so vaccine manufacturers can develop the most effective formula.

TDAP

To protect yourself from three harmful diseases — tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (also known as whooping cough) — you need the Tdap shot. When you were a baby, you likely got the DTaP vaccination in a series of five shots, but there was no booster for adults until 2005 . Now there is, the Tdap.

If you didn’t receive this vaccination as a child or you don’t remember, you should get it now. Also, if you’re pregnant or plan to be in close contact with an infant, you should get the shot now.

YOUNG ADULTS

While we consider the Tdap vaccine necessary, there’s another vaccine we highly recommend as well if you’re between the ages of 11-26. To protect you against many strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) and the resulting diseases, such as genital warts and some cancers, you should consider the HPV vaccination. This shot is not typically recommended for people outside this age range, but even if you are, talk to us about your options.

OLDER ADULTS

Mature adults have different needs and different vulnerabilities, so we take that into consideration when recommending vaccines for seniors.

SHINGLES

If you’re 50 or older and have had chickenpox during your lifetime, it’s a good idea to get the shingles vaccination. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and it’s been “sleeping” in your body for years. If it becomes active again, you’ll have a very painful rash and a fever. You can avoid it or at least have a milder case if you’re vaccinated.

If you’ve never had chickenpox and never been vaccinated for it, talk to us about an adult shot.

PNEUMONIA

If you’re 65 or older, we recommend the pneumonia vaccine, which helps you stave off this serious lung infection.

TRAVELING ADULTS

Even healthy adults are susceptible to foreign diseases. That’s because your immune system has learned to fight off diseases common to your region over the years and through vaccinations. But every region has its own set of germs, and your body might not be equipped to battle new bugs.

So, if you have a trip planned abroad, come see us at Calvary Urgent Care first. We can administer whatever immunizations you need to keep you safe while you’re away from home.

IMMIGRANT ADULTS

If you’re new to the United States, welcome! Applying for permanent residency is a long process involving many steps, including your immigration medical exam . At Calvary Urgent Care, we perform all the necessary medical tests needed to satisfy the green card application, including any vaccines you might be missing. If possible, bring your immunization records so we can determine exactly what you need.

NOT ALL VACCINES ARE FOR ALL ADULTS

Most healthy adults can benefit from vaccinations to boost their immunity against known diseases. But there are some exceptions. For instance, if you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to certain vaccinations, or if you have or have had certain diseases, some vaccinations may not be safe for you. That’s why it’s important to give us a complete and accurate health history, so we can develop a vaccine schedule that’s right for you.

If you need — or wonder if you need — adult vaccinations, give us a call or book an appointment online and get all the answers (and shots) you need to stay safe out there.