Immunizations

What is the purpose of immunizations?

Immunization is the process of gaining immunity to a certain disease. It’s essentially a vaccine given to a patient that prevents a disease or illness. Dr. Raccuglia and the team make sure that your family is protected utilizing the latest preventive and travel immunizations.

Immunizations contain a weakened or dead germ, which your body uses to create antibodies that fight it. These antibodies prepare your body to fight the disease if you’re exposed to it, which helps prevent the spread of disease among children and adults.

What are the common immunizations?

Children often have an immunization schedule to help prevent the spread of dangerous diseases. Some common immunizations children receive are:

• Polio
• Tetanus
• Pertussis (Whooping Cough)
• Chicken Pox
• Measles

School-age children may receive shots for:

• Hepatitis A
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
• Influenza
• Tetanus
• Meningitis

Adults may get immunizations for:

• Influenza
• Pneumococcal conjugate

They might also receive travel vaccinations, like typhoid and rubella, ahead of a trip.

Are immunizations safe?

Yes, immunizations are safe for you and your child, as the vaccines go through strict safety testing before they can be given to patients. If you have questions regarding immunizing your child, be sure to discuss your concerns with Dr. Raccuglia.

What should you expect when getting an immunization?

Getting a shot can be a little scary, especially for children or new parents. The type of shot, the age of the person receiving the immunization, and how many you’re getting that day, all play a factor in determining your experience getting your shot.

Babies often get multiple immunizations each visit and many parents may have anxiety about how their child will react. Though some babies are known to be a bit fussy following shots, Dr. Raccuglia will provide guidance on how to ease any discomfort your baby experiences.

Children and adults may experience slight stinging at the injection site and while the shot goes in. Some children may experience a loss of appetite for a while following the immunization. Common side effects for adults are soreness of the area and some people may feel faint.

Drink plenty of liquids and move the area that is sore as much as possible to combat soreness.

Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with Dr. Raccuglia beforehand.

Why are immunizations important?

They protect everyone against diseases in children and adults. For example, with the introduction of the polio vaccine, polio has all but been eliminated in the United States. Thanks to immunizations, other diseases are also becoming all but nonexistent.

There are many dangers to not vaccinating your child. By not vaccinating your child, you can expose diseases to children who have not yet had their shots, which could potentially lead to an outbreak.

Contact Dr. Raccuglia if you have any questions regarding your child’s immunization schedule or to schedule an appointment to receive a vaccination today.