Immunizations

Why do I need immunizations?

Immunizations are injections that are designed to make your immune system become resistant to an infectious disease. This is done by administering vaccines or vaccinations. You need immunizations to:

• Boost your immune system
• Prevent known infections and diseases
• Safeguard you if you’re traveling overseas

You receive many of the immunizations you need during your first few years of life. But because immunizations all work differently and you may need certain ones as you get older, it’s important to have annual checkups to ensure your immunizations are up to date.

How do immunizations work?

While immunizations all have the same outcome — lowering your risk of serious illnesses — the way in which it happens is different. Four types of vaccines exist and the way they each work is described below.

Live-virus vaccines

These immunizations work by exposing you to weakened forms of a specific virus, like measles or chickenpox. Your immune system builds up antibodies to the viral invader, so if you ever come into contact with it, you’re strong enough to fight it off.

Killed or inactivated vaccines

These types of vaccines stimulate antibody production by your immune system by sending proteins or other components of viruses or bacteria into your body. Whooping cough is one of the most common types of inactivated vaccines.

Toxoid vaccines

Toxoid vaccines involve exposing you to specific toxins or chemicals that are released by bacterial or viral invaders. These immunizations help you become immune to the harmful effects of certain infections, as with the tetanus shot.

Biosynthetic vaccines

Biosynthetic vaccines stimulate your immune system and safeguard you from certain viruses or bacteria by exposing your system to man-made components of the foreign invaders. Hepatitis B is one of the most common types of biosynthetic vaccines.

When should I get immunizations?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updates the immunization schedule every 12 months. If you haven’t had immunizations for a while or don’t know which ones you may need, the dedicated team at Pinnacle Health Group can help. They encourage you to come in for immunizations if you:

• Recently came into contact with someone who has an infectious disease
• Have a weakened immune system
• Are getting ready to travel overseas

It’s also important to come into Pinnacle Health Group once a year for your annual flu shot — usually every fall.

Schedule your immunization exam at Pinnacle Health Group today. Click on the online scheduler or call the office to speak with a team member.

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