Vaccines stimulate the body’s immune system to recognize and combat specific diseases, effectively curtailing the spread of previously devastating illnesses. They help spare countless lives and reduce the burden of healthcare systems in the long run. However, it is just as important to ensure that you stay up-to-date with any recommended boosters or follow-ups for the vaccine’s complete efficacy.
Kindred offers single-dose and full-vaccination packages to help protect you and your loved ones from various illnesses. Read on to be informed on what vaccines are available so you can make sure that you keep your present and future self protected.
HPV vaccine
Get lifetime protection from the human papillomavirus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer develops if the body is unable to clear a transient infection of HPV that is most likely obtained sexually. The risk of contracting the HPV virus in a lifetime is as high as 50%. It is estimated that 80% of women will be infected by the age of 50. Males are not spared, and the risk for contracting the virus increases with more sexual partners.
Variants
Gardasil 4-valent
Gardasil 4-valent protects against the four strains of HPV that cause genital warts and cervical cancer (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18).
Gardasil 9-valent
Gardasil 9-valent is the newest vaccine for cervical cancer with a wider range of protection, safeguarding against more strains of HPV (HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58).
Recommended age
Recommended for females and males as early as the age of 9 unless otherwise advised by your attending physician. Everyone through age 26 should get the HPV vaccine if they were not fully vaccinated already. Those between ages 27–45 may have already been exposed to HPV strains, therefore the vaccine will not cure them from it, but act as a means of prevention. It’s best to seek your doctor’s advice regarding this.
Schedule
A two-dose series (0, 6-12 months) for most persons who initiate vaccination at ages 9 through 14 years and A three-dose series (0, 1-2, 6 months) for persons who initiate vaccination at ages 15 through 45 years, and for immunocompromised persons.
Common side effects
Common side effects post vaccination include pain, swelling, and redness where the shot was administered. You may also experience headaches, tiredness, and nausea.
Flu vaccine
Schedule this single-dose flu immunization annually to ensure you’re protected from the latest flu strain, with special indications for the elderly and immunocompromised. The flu virus can change and evolve from year to year, therefore vaccines change to match the circulating flu strains as closely as possible. By getting vaccinated annually, you ensure that you have the most up-to-date protection against the strains of flu that are expected to be prevalent that year.
Recommended age
Flu vaccines can be done starting at the age of 6 months. It’s best to consult with a pediatrician, as some individuals may need 2 doses a year.
Schedule
A flu vaccine should be scheduled every year to ensure protection against the latest flu strain.
Common side effects
Common side effects from a flu shot include soreness, redness, and/or swelling where the shot was given, headache, fever (low grade), nausea, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Hepatitis B vaccine
Get lifetime protection from Hepatitis B, which is a liver disease that is typically mild but can progress into a more severe and lifelong illness. This virus is transmitted through punctures in the skin or mucosal exposure with infected body fluids such as from unprotected sex, needlestick injuries, sharing of needles among IV drug users, birth and delivery from an infected mother, or receiving contaminated blood or other blood components via transfusion, to name a few.
Recommended age
The Hepatitis B vaccine is good for all ages, and adults over 60 who have risk factors for contracting the disease.
Schedule
Primary vaccination with Hepatitis B is given in a 3-dose series. The usual schedule is 0-1-6 months.
Common side effects
Common side effects of the Hepatitis B vaccine include soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site.
Pneumonia vaccine
The pneumonia vaccine protects against pneumococcal disease which is prevalent in young children, but can be fatal for older adults or those with weakened immune systems. Both variants are recommended for individuals who are advised to get the pneumonia vaccine.
Variants
Prevnar 13
Prevnar 13 protects against 13 strains of pneumococcal disease.
Pneumovax 23
Pneumovax vaccine is recommended for adults aged 65 years and above, but is also suitable for younger patients. This vaccine protects against 23 different strains of pneumococcal pneumonia.
Recommended age
The pneumonia vaccine, particularly the Prevnar 13, is recommended for children below 5, as well as those aged 5–18 who have medical conditions that put them at greater risk for developing the pneumococcal disease.
The Pneumovax 23 vaccine is for those aged 65 and older, or unless prescribed by your attending physician.
Schedule
One dose of Prevnar 13 is needed for lifetime immunity, while intervals of every five years are needed for Pneumovax 23.
Common side effects
Common side effects include injection site soreness, irritability, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and muscle aches.
Shingles vaccine
The Shingles vaccine protects against the viral infection of shingles and other related complications.
Recommended age
The Shingles vaccine is recommended for immunocompetent adults aged 50 and above, immunocompromised individuals aged 19 and above, individuals who have gotten shingles in the past, individuals who have previously gotten the Zostavax vaccine, or those who are unsure if they have had chickenpox in the past.
Schedule
The Shingles vaccine is given in two doses with a 2-6 month interval for immunocompetent adults aged 50 and older or adults aged 19 and above who will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed because of the disease or therapy.
For individuals who are or will be immunodeficient or immunosuppressed and would benefit from completing the series within a shorter period, it can be given in two doses with a 1-2 month interval.
DTaP vaccine (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
The DTaP vaccine provides protection for infants, young children, and adults against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis infections that can lead to serious illnesses and other health complications.
Recommended age
The DTaP vaccine is for infants as early as 2 months old and those in their early childhood, but adults who have never gotten the DTaP vaccine can receive it whenever, followed up with a booster shot every 10 years.
Schedule
The DTaP vaccine is given in a series of five doses with a recommended schedule of doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. Boosters are given at 15-18 months and 4-6 years.
*Adults may also get the DTaP vaccine if they have not previously done so.
In conclusion
In conclusion, staying up-to-date with your immunizations is a powerful step in safeguarding your health and the well-being of those around you. By taking this proactive measure, you contribute to keeping preventable diseases at bay. Act now, protect yourself, and be part of the solution. Book your immunizations today on mykindred.co!