Vaccinations

Vaccinations keep you healthy and help prevent the spread of contagious diseases like the flu. Nabila Aslam, MD, and the team at Internists of North Dallas in Irving, Texas, provide several vaccinations for adults. Call the office or request an appointment online today to schedule your vaccinations today.

What are vaccinations?

Vaccinations are an essential part of preventive care. They protect you from getting sick from infectious diseases that your immune system can’t control on its own. 

Your immune system is designed to fight pathogens, which are microorganisms that cause disease. However, some pathogens overpower the immune system, which can make you very sick. 

Getting vaccinated doesn’t only help you; it protects society through herd immunity. Vaccination provides immunization, and the more people that are immune to a disease, the less likely it is to spread to others. Getting vaccinated reduces the risk of disease outbreaks. 

How do vaccines work?

Your immune system has many types of cells that defend your body against invading pathogens. First, the immune system needs to identify those pathogens as dangerous. 

Vaccines contain a weakened or inactive form of the pathogen that won’t make you sick. When Dr. Aslam administers a vaccine, your body builds an immune response, so it’s ready to fight the actual pathogen in case you become exposed in the future.

What vaccinations might I need?

Vaccines aren’t only for children. You should continue a regular vaccination schedule through adulthood to protect your immunity. For your convenience, Internists of North Dallas offers several types of vaccines for adults, including:

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)
• Pneumovax®23
• Hepatitis A and B
• Herpes zoster (shingles)

They also offer influenza vaccines during the flu season as well as vitamin B-12 shots, which aren’t vaccines but can boost your overall health. You should get a flu shot every year, especially if you’re in a high-risk group, such as adults over age 65. 

Are vaccines safe?

Yes, vaccines are safe. Before vaccines get approved for public use, they undergo rigorous laboratory testing to ensure their safety. An extensive amount of research shows that side effects of vaccines are rare and typically mild.  

When side effects occur, they may include:

• Fatigue
• Headache
• Low-grade fever
• Chills
• Muscle weakness
• Muscle and joint aches near the injection site

The most common side effect is pain, swelling, and redness at the injections site, which typically resolves within a few hours. Serious side effects are rare, but about one or two people out of one million may have a severe allergic reaction to a vaccination. 

Call Internists of North Dallas, or request an appointment online today to schedule your vaccinations.