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Vaccination Station. By Our August Student Pharmacist, Katy Hoffman.

VACCINATIONS

It’s about that time of year again, the time of year for flu shots. Flu vaccines are seasonal, but there are other vaccines that are offered year round. This blog will cover the flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines, but there are several others offered at the pharmacy. Feel free to stop by our pharmacy with any of your vaccination questions, concerns, or desires.

  • Flu: The influenza virus can be a very serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes even death. Flu vaccines provide protection against the influenza viruses that research indicated will be most common during the upcoming season. You need a flu vaccine every year because your body’s response from the vaccine declines over time and the flu viruses are constantly changing. The vaccine takes about 2 weeks to work so it is important to get the vaccine early.
  • Pneumonia: Pneumococcal disease is also a very serious infection that causes pneumonia, meningitis, and blood stream infections. There are two types of pneumococcal vaccines recommended for adults: Prevnar and Pneomovax. The vaccines are indicated for all adults ages 65 years or older. There are certain conditions, such as diabetes and asthma, where earlier vaccination may be indicated. If you are unsure as to whether or not you need the vaccine, see one of our pharmacists for more information.
  • Shingles: Shingles is a very painful rash that anyone who has had chicken pox is at risk of developing. The shingles vaccine, Zostavax, is a one-time shot that reduces the risk of developing shingles. The vaccine is indicated for adults 50 years or older, although some insurances will only cover it for adults 60 years or older. If you would like to know if your insurance will cover the shingles vaccine, stop by our pharmacy and we will try to run it through your insurance.

Many people believe that vaccines can cause the disease they are meant to prevent. This is a myth. In fact, vaccines are fairly harmless. The only side effect people tend to notice is soreness at the injection site. This is a side effect for any injected medication. The soreness usually subsides within 1-3 days for the pneumonia and flu vaccines and 5-7 days for the shingles vaccine.

immunization

I hope you enjoyed the information on vaccines. Stop by our pharmacy if you have any additional questions or if you want to get a vaccine.

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