Get Immunized with Vaccines
How Do Vaccines Work?
Vaccines are one of the most important tools in modern medicine, used to protect us from a wide range of diseases, yet many people do not understand how they work or why they are so important.
Vaccines are designed to contain antigens, which are substances that cause the body to produce antibodies. When a person is exposed to a virus or bacteria, the body’s immune system recognizes the antigen and produces antibodies to fight it. The antibodies then remain in the body, providing “memory” of the virus or bacteria and helping protect against future infections.
The antigens in vaccines are usually weakened or dead versions of a virus or bacteria. When injected, the antigens stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and create antibodies to fight the virus or bacteria, without causing disease. When someone is exposed to the same virus or bacteria again, their body is more equipped to combat it due to the immunity it has developed, reducing the severity of the effects.
- Flu Shot | $35 Self-Pay Option
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The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get a flu shot every year. Receiving a flu shot each year helps to protect against seasonal influenza, a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus. It is important to get a new flu shot each year, as the flu virus can change from year to year. The flu shot helps provide protection from the strains of the virus that are most likely to circulate during the current season.
- Hep-A | $120 Self-Pay Option
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The hepatitis A vaccine is a safe and effective way to help protect against the highly contagious virus. It is recommended for children 12 months and older, and is given in two doses. After receiving the first dose, a booster shot is needed 6 to 12 months later to maintain protection. The vaccine helps protect against the virus that primarily affects the liver, and can help reduce the risk of infection.
- Hep-B | $80-$100 Self-Pay Option
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The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for children as it helps protect them from the highly contagious virus that primarily affects the liver. The vaccine is typically administered in three doses over the course of six months. The hepatitis B vaccine helps protect against long-term complications, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis, that can be caused by the hepatitis B virus.
- Meningitis | $170 Self-Pay Option
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The meningitis vaccine helps protect against meningococcal disease, a serious bacterial infection that can cause inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. The meningitis vaccine is typically administered to adolescents and young adults, and is recommended for anyone over the age of 11. It is also recommended for college students living in dorms, travelers, and those with certain medical conditions.
- MMR | $105 Self-Pay Option
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The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is a combination vaccine used to protect against three viral diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The MMR vaccine is recommended for children aged 12 months and older, as well as adults who are not already immune to the viruses. The vaccine is typically given in two doses, with the second dose being given between 4 and 6 years of age.
- Pneumovax | $170 Self-Pay Option
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The Pneumovax vaccine is a pneumococcal vaccine that is recommended for people over the age of 2. The vaccine helps protect against the bacteria that causes pneumonia, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the lungs.
- Poliovirus | $75 Self-Pay Option
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Polio is a highly contagious virus that can cause serious, permanent paralysis and even death. The poliovirus vaccine is recommended for people of all ages, as it helps protect them from this virus. Recommend for children to get four doses, with one dose at each of the following ages: 2 months old, 4 months old, 6 through 18 months old, and 4 through 6 years old.
- Td | $85 Self-Pay Option
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The Td vaccine is a combination vaccine that protects against tetanus and diphtheria. It is recommended for people over the age of 7, as it helps protect them from these two potentially serious bacterial illnesses. The Td vaccine is typically administered in one dose every 10 years.
- TDAP | $95 Self-Pay Option
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The TDAP vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 11, as it helps protect against three dangerous bacterial diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). The vaccine is typically administered in one dose, and helps protect against long-term complications, such as paralysis and difficulty breathing, that can be caused by these diseases.
- Tetanus | $85 Self-Pay Option
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The tetanus vaccine is recommended for people of all ages, as it helps protect against the life-threatening bacterial disease, tetanus. The vaccine is typically administered in one dose, and helps protect against long-term complications, such as paralysis and difficulty breathing, that can be caused by tetanus.
- Typhoid | $250 Self-Pay Option
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The typhoid vaccine is recommended for people traveling to certain parts of the world, as it helps protect against typhoid fever, a serious bacterial infection that is spread through contaminated food and water. The vaccine is typically administered in one dose and helps protect against long-term complications, such as severe dehydration, that can be caused by the typhoid fever virus.
- Varicella | $180 Self-Pay Option
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The Varicella vaccine is recommended for people of all ages, as it helps protect against the highly contagious virus that causes chickenpox. The vaccine is typically administered in two doses, and helps protect against long-term complications, such as skin infections and pneumonia, that can be caused by chickenpox.