Vaccinations
Following an immunization schedule is very important (especially for children). These vaccines help prevent dangerous, or even deadly diseases. They also help the body safely develop immunity to disease, so that the body can recognize and fight the disease in the future. Schools often require vaccinations for yearly physicals as well.
Vaccines & Immunization Schedule
Community Quick Care provides a number of vaccines and immunizations, including, but not limited to the following:
Yearly, beginning at 6 months:
Influenza (Flu):
Flu is caused by influenza viruses, and can be spread by sneezing, coughing, and touch or close contact. A dose of the flu vaccine is recommended every flu season. It can take up to 2 weeks for protection to develop after receiving the flu vaccine.
New Born to 6 years of age:
Hepatitis B:
Hepatitis B is an infection that affects the liver, and is caused by the hepatits B virus. It can cause acute (short-term) illness or chronic (long-term) infection. Babies normally get 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine at birth, 1-2 months, and 6-18 months. All unvaccinated adults at risk for the infection should also be vaccinated.
Rotateq (Rotavirus vaccine):
Rotavirus is a virus that causes severe diarrhea, mostly in babies and young children. Vomiting and fever are also common, as well as dehydration. Three doses at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age is recommended.
HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b):
HIB is a serious disease caused by bacteria, and usually affects children under age 5. It can also affect adults with certain medical conditions. It is spread from person to person, and can cause meningitis, brain damage, deafness, pneumonia, throat swelling, infections of the blood, joints, bones, and covering of the heart, or death. 4 doses of HIB are recommended at ages 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and 12-15 months of age.
Hepatitis A:
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is found in the stool of those who have hepatitis A. It can cause flu-like symptoms, jaundice, stomach pains, and diarrhea. The first dose should be given at 12-23 months, and the second dose should be 6 months after the first.
Pneumococcal (Prevnar):
Pneumococcal disease is caused by bacteria spread by close person to person contact. It can cause ear infections, pneumonia, infection of the blood, and meningitis. Prevnar is routinely given to children at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months of age.
DTap (Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis):
These are serious diseases caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread by close person to person contact. Tetanus enters the body through cuts and wounds. Diphtheria causes a thick covering over the back of the throat and can lead to more serious health problems… even death. Tetanus (Lockjaw) causes the muscles to tighten painfully all over the body, making it difficult to open your mouth, or even breathe. Tetanus kills 1 in 10 people who are diagnosed. Pertussis (whooping cough) causes terrible coughing spells leading to pneumonia, brain damage, and even death. Children should have 5 doses of DTap at ages 2, 4, and 6 months, 15-18 months, and 4-6 years.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella):
The measles virus can cause rash, cough, runny nose, eye irritation, and fever, leading to ear infection, pneumonia, seizures, brain damage, and death. The mumps virus can cause fever, headache, muscle pain, loss of appetite, and swollen glands, leading to deafness, meningitis, swelling of the testicles or ovaries, and sterility. Rubella (German measles) virus can cause rash, arthritis, and fever, leading to miscarriage or birth defects in pregnant women. Children should get two doses of the MMR vaccine- the first at 12-15 months of age, and the second at 4-6 years of age.
Varicella/Varivax (Chickenpox):
Varicella is a common childhood disease causing rash, itching, fever, and fatigue, leading to skin infections, scars, pneumonia, brain damage, or death. It can be spread through the air, or by contact with fluid from a chickenpox blister. The routine dose for this vaccine is 12-15 months for the first dose, and 4-6 years for the second dose.
Ages 7 to 18 years of age:
HPV (Human papillomavirus):
Genital HPV is the most commonly transmitted virus in the United States. Most HPV infections do not cause symptoms, but HPV can cause cervical cancer in women. Cervical cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death among women around the world. More than half of sexually active men and women are infected with HPV at some time in their lives. The HPV vaccine can be given to both males and females, in a 3-dose series starting at age 11-12. The second dose is given 1-2 months after the dose 1, and the third is given 6 months after dose 1. This vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, and vulvar cancer in females, and genital warts and anal cancer in both males and females.
Menactra (Meningococcal):
Meningococcal disease is a serious bacterial illness, and the leading cause bacterial meningitis in children ages 2-18 in the United States. Meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord, and can cause blood infections. Two doses of this vaccine are recommended at ages 11-12, with a booster at age 16.
TDap:
TDap is a booster to DTap. It is routinely given at age 11 of 12, and to pregnant women at every pregnancy, to protect the newborn from pertussis.
Other Common Vaccinations:
Shingles:
Caused by the varicella zoster virus (VZV), the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus stays dormant (inactive) in the body. For reasons that are not fully known, the virus can reactivate years later, causing shingles. The shingles vaccine is approved by FDA for people aged 50 years and older.
Tetanus:
Continue with Td booster (replaces DTaP) every 10 years from age 19 on.
