Immunizations Specialist

How do immunizations help prevent disease?

Immunizations expose patients to a killed or weakened version of certain germs that cause disease. The immune system produces antibodies to destroy these germs. These antibodies stay in the body and guard against these germs on an ongoing basis. Immunizations also provide protection from contagious diseases among those who are more at risk of serious complications, including infants and young children, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Having a higher number of individuals in a community who are vaccinated against a certain disease means that the disease is less likely to be present in general.

What kinds of immunizations does Dr. Carruthers offer?

Dr. Carruthers offers routine childhood immunizations, meningitis, pneumonia, hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus (HPV), and flu shots. Patients can also receive immunizations for traveling internationally. Routine childhood immunizations include hepatitis B, rotavirus, influenza, hepatitis A, and varicella. Children also need pneumococcal conjugate, inactivated poliovirus, DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib), and MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella).

When should patients receive immunizations?

Dr. Carruthers discusses vaccine schedules with parents of infants and children. In general, infants and children should receive vaccines as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control beginning at one month of age. Some of these vaccines require boosters throughout childhood to ensure full protection from diseases. Adults can discuss recommended vaccines with Dr. Carruthers to protect their own health. For example, seniors should receive immunizations to protect against pneumonia and shingles.

Are immunizations safe?

Immunizations are considered safe for most individuals. Side effects are typically mild and temporary, such as soreness around the injection site for shots and a low-grade fever. Immunizations can cause reactions in those who are allergic to certain ingredients in them, such as eggs. However, Dr. Carruthers can provide these patients with an allergy-free alternative.

Are immunizations effective?

Immunizations do provide effective protection. However, no protection is 100%. It’s possible for patients who receive vaccines to become sick with the diseases they were vaccinated against. If they do get sick, these diseases should be milder than they would be without any immunization. Patients should also keep in mind that vaccines require a certain amount of time to start working. For example, those who get a flu shot have a two-week window of time before it starts to work. It’s possible to come down with the flu if they were already infected when they received their shot.

To schedule immunizations or to get more information on them, please contact Dr. Carruthers.