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Vaccinations

Vaccinate Against Preventable Diseases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and adults have scheduled immunizations to protect all of us from developing – and spreading – preventable diseases. At Westgate Family Physicians, we can keep you and your children up-to-date on necessary immunizations. Our team would be happy to explain each immunization recommendation in depth and provide information about the benefits and potential risks of each one. We can also let you know what types of immunizations are advisable if you plan to travel outside the United States.

Childhood Immunizations: Birth through Age 6

  • Chickenpox
  • DTaP: diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Haemophilus influenzae type b
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Influenza
  • MMR: measles, mumps and rubella
  • Polio
  • Pneumococcus
  • Rotavirus

Childhood Immunizations: Age 7-18

  • DTaP: diptheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough)
  • HPV: human papillomavirus
  • MenACWY: meningococcal conjugate
  • MenB: meningococcal
  • Influenza

Adult Immunizations

  • Influenza: seasonal flu vaccine. This is typically available October – January and recommended every year for everyone age 6 months and older. This is especially important for people who are at a higher risk of developing complications from the flu: adults over age 65, children under age 2, pregnant women, people with heart or lung disease, liver or kidney disorders, those who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, American Indians, those with weak immune systems and more.
  • TDaP: Tetanus, Diphtheria and acellular Pertussis (whooping cough). The national guidelines now call for everyone over the age of 11 up to the age of 65 to be reimmunized against whooping cough using this combination.
  • GARDASIL®9: Human Papillomavirus 9-valent. We strongly recommend this important vaccine for young women between the ages of 11 and 25 to protect them against the virus that causes cervical cancer and genital herpes.  Check with your insurance provider to see if the cost of this vaccine is covered.
  • ZOSTIVAX®: shingles vaccine. While this is recommended for patients over the age of 65, it can be given to any adult patient who desires to be protected against shingles. It is covered by some insurance policies and by Medicare Part D.

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Travel Vaccines for Adults or Children

If you are planning to travel abroad, especially to developing countries, it is advisable to get specific travel immunizations before you leave to protect you from serious illnesses that may not be common in the United States. You may need certain vaccinations 4-6 weeks prior to your trip, so plan ahead. Even if you are diligent about getting your routine adult vaccinations, you may need additional protection for diseases such as yellow fever, hepatitis A or B, typhoid, rabies, etc.

The right vaccine will also depend on the type of trip you are planning. If you are going to spend a lot of time in rural areas on your trip, you may need more protection than someone else who is planning to stay in a luxury resort hotel. Share your complete itinerary with our doctors so we will know the right types of immunizations to recommend for your trip.

To learn more about vaccines, please contact us at (864) 574-0070 or click here to request an appointment online.