Immunizations

Keeping current with immunizations is an effective and safe way to prevent illnesses and health complications caused by contagious diseases. At Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic Waxahachie, Texas, Yaminah Matthews, APRN, FNP-C, protects the health of families by providing the immunizations needed for your age and risk factors. Don’t wait to connect with Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic whenever you have questions about immunizations. Call the office or request an appointment online today.

What are immunizations?

Immunizations protect you from contagious diseases that can cause serious illnesses and life-threatening complications. Immunization usually requires a series of vaccinations (shots) or booster shots.

The routine immunizations everyone receives (for measles, mumps, etc.) contain either an inactivated pathogen (bacteria or virus) or a weak, low dose of a live pathogen. Both types teach your immune system to recognize and create a record of the bacteria or virus.

If the pathogen enters your body in the future, your immune system is prepared to keep you healthy. It immediately identifies the invading pathogens and sends out specialized cells to destroy or neutralize them.

The COVID-19 vaccine is different from routine immunizations. It does not contain either an inactivated or live virus. Instead, it contains other molecules that teach your immune system to recognize and fight the virus.

Why do I need immunizations?

Protecting the health of you and your family is the most important reason to get immunizations. Conditions like measles and mumps rarely occur in the United States, but the diseases haven’t disappeared. Instead, the viruses that cause the diseases can’t spread because you (and others in the community) are immunized.

The diseases prevented by immunizations can cause serious complications. For example, measles often causes pneumonia. One of every 20 children who come down with measles develops pneumonia. Additionally, one in every 1,000 people who get measles develops encephalitis (brain inflammation and swelling).

What immunizations might I need?

Yaminah offers the following immunizations:

• Flu
• Hepatitis B
• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
• Tetanus, diphtheria (TD)
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Meningococcal
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (Prevnar 13®)
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (Pneumovax® 23)

The viruses responsible for flu regularly change. As a result, you need a flu shot every year to get protection from that season’s primary viruses.

When should I have vaccinations?

Several medical groups, including the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), collaborate to determine the optimal immunization schedule.

This schedule outlines the shots recommended at every age, from newborns throughout their lifespan. Yaminah can review your history and determine if you’re up to date or need vaccinations. 

Call Trinity Salem Family Health Clinic or request an appointment online to get the immunizations you need to stay healthy.