Vaccinations

What are vaccinations?

Vaccines are biological substances that use your immune system to protect against infectious diseases. A vaccine contains a small amount of a dead or weakened germ. Once introduced to your body, the vaccine triggers your natural immune response. Your immune system then releases proteins called antibodies to fight off future infections from that germ.

While you can still become infected with certain viruses, such as the flu, your symptoms are milder than they might be if you remain unvaccinated.

Why are vaccinations important?

Vaccinations keep you and your community safe against infectious diseases. Being vaccinated reduces your chance of spreading infections to others, which diminishes the overall risk in your region.

Over time, vaccinated populations can even eliminate deadly diseases. Without enough hosts, viruses have nowhere to spread. 

For example, the U.S. has not originated a polio case since 1979, thanks to the poliovirus vaccine. Once the vaccine reached the mainstream market, the poliovirus no longer had the hosts it needed to survive.

What are the different types of vaccinations?

Most people receive the majority of their vaccines during childhood, but booster shots are sometimes necessary to ensure your immunity against a certain virus remains. With a focus on preventive care, Dr. Favuzza administers all types of vaccines at Hometown Health Care of NEPA, including:

• Flu (influenza)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Dengue
• Diphtheria
• Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b)
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Tetanus (lockjaw)
• Whooping Cough (pertussis)
• Measles
• Pneumococcal
• Polio 
• Meningococcal
• Mumps
• Rotavirus
• Rubella 

Dr. Favuzza also offers the COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the coronavirus infections that can damage your respiratory system.

Are vaccines safe?

Yes, vaccines are safe. In the U.S., vaccines undergo a lengthy regulatory process before they’re available to the public. Remaining unvaccinated poses a higher threat to your health than the risk of side effects from vaccines. 

While most people don’t experience side effects from vaccines, minor swelling, pain, and bruising at the injection site are common. Some people also notice temporary symptoms, such as fever, but these side effects typically subside within a few hours or days. 

Call Hometown Health Care of NEPA today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about vaccinations.