Vaccines

What are vaccines? 

Vaccines play a crucial role in preventing serious and sometimes deadly, diseases. A vaccine contains a small amount of a weakened or dead germ (pathogen), such as a virus or bacteria. 

When the weak or dead pathogen enters your body, it helps your immune system to prepare to fight the disease off more quickly and effectively. That means you don’t get sick if the pathogen enters your body again. This protection from disease is called immunization.

The team at Calvary Medical Clinic participates in the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program, which provides low-cost or no-cost vaccines to qualifying children up to 18 who don’t have health insurance.

What vaccines does my child need?

Many of the diseases that vaccines protect you from can be fatal for infants and young children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a complete immunization schedule recommended for infants in their first two years. 

Your Calvary Medical Clinic provider educates you on the recommended vaccines for your child based on their age. This may include:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Chickenpox
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough
• Measles, mumps, and rubella
• Polio
• Pneumococcal
• Influenza (the flu shot)
• Flu Vaccines
• Work/School Vaccinations

Many schools, including colleges and universities, require students to be up to date on their immunizations. The team at Calvary Medical Clinic reviews your child’s immunization records and provides any necessary back-to-school vaccinations.

What vaccines do I need?

Children aren’t the only ones who need vaccines. Adults should continue to get vaccinated throughout their lifetime. Certain diseases, such as tetanus, require periodic booster shots to stay protected.

Because the flu vaccine changes every year based on the type of virus most likely to make you sick, all adults should get annual flu shots. This is especially important for adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems. 

You may need additional vaccines based on your medical history and travel habits. The team at Calvary Medical Clinic provides appropriate travel vaccines for various destinations. You should call to plan your travel vaccination as early as possible because it takes time to build up immunity.

Are vaccines safe?

Yes. Every vaccine the team at Calvary Medical Clinic uses goes through years of rigorous testing to ensure a safe and effective dose. Vaccines are held to the highest safety standards, and continuously monitored for quality.

To protect yourself and your loved ones, call Calvary Medical Clinic or book an appointment online today to learn more about vaccines.