Vaccination Clinic Q&A

Vaccines are important for providing protection against infectious diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough (pertussis), and tetanus. Without vaccines, many more people would get these diseases and some could suffer serious complications. Vaccines are especially important for people at higher risk, such as the elderly and those with preexisting conditions, particularly autoimmune disorders.

The most important vaccines are:

• Measles — The measles virus gets into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes; it is a highly contagious viral infection that involves the respiratory system, including the lungs and air passages.

• Whooping Cough (Pertussis) — Whooping cough is a lung infection that makes it hard to breathe due to severe coughing, and can be contracted by breathing in the pertussis bacteria when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

• Polio — The poliovirus lives in the intestine and primarily affects the muscles. It is commonly spread due to unhygienic conditions and can be transmitted when coming into contact with an infected person’s feces.

• Pneumococcal Disease — Pneumococcal disease can cause many types of illness, including pneumonia, ear and blood infections, and meningitis; it is transmitted through an infected person’s mucus or saliva.

• Tetanus — Caused by the bacterium Clostridium tetani, tetanus causes lockjaw, breathing problems, muscle spasms, and paralysis; it can even be fatal. The bacterium that causes tetanus can infect the body through a cut or open sore and is found in soil, dust, and manure.

• Meningococcal Disease — Another disease caused by bacteria, meningococcal disease can cause meningitis (infection and swelling of the brain and spinal cord), and is caused by bacteria that live in the back of an infected person’s nose and throat. It can also infect the blood and may be spread through kissing or by coming into contact with a contaminated surface.

• Hepatitis B — A severe form of viral hepatitis, hepatitis B can cause chronic liver disease and other health problems. The virus is blood-borne, meaning it is transmitted via the blood; therefore, it can be spread through unprotected sex or by sharing contaminated needles, but it may also be passed from mother to child after giving birth.

• Mumps — A disease caused by a virus that gives people swollen salivary glands, a fever, headache, and muscle aches, mumps also causes fatigue and suppresses appetite. Other people can breathe in the mumps virus when someone with mumps coughs or sneezes, projecting the virus into the air.

Most vaccines should only be administered once, but a few require multiple doses and/or boosters. Some vaccines, such as tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap), are recommended every ten years, while others are only recommended once. People with certain conditions, particularly autoimmune disorders, are advised to avoid some vaccines as they may cause an adverse reaction.

Vaccines that are currently available include:

• Adenovirus
• Anthrax
• Cholera
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Measles
• Meningococcal
• Mumps
• Pertussis
• Pneumococcal
• Polio
• Rabies
• Rotavirus
• Rubella
• Shingles
• Smallpox
• Tetanus
• Tuberculosis
• Typhoid Fever
• Varicella
• Yellow Fever
 
Stay up-to-date with your vaccinations at Insight Urgent Care. Call us today to Check In Online for your next vaccine, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 13421 Westheimer Road, Suite D, Houston, TX 77077. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Houston TX, Briar Forest, Hedwig Village, Spring Branch West, Energy Corridor, Westchase, Bellaire, Alief, Cinco Ranch, Katy TX and surrounding areas!