Less common vaccinations

You may need a meningitis shot

In addition to flu shots, booster shots and the infant immunization schedule, there are other vaccinations that you may also wish to consider. Bacterial meningitis affects 1,000 to 1,200 people in the U.S. each year. It strikes suddenly and carries the danger of hearing loss and brain damage, but can be treated with antibiotics. A student going to college may need a meningitis shot.

Travel vaccinations and HPV

Early in 2015, 29 Americans fell ill from an outbreak of hepatitis A in Mexico. If you plan to travel, getting travel vaccinations is not only wise, but sometimes required. In some countries, for example, the government will make you take the yellow fever vaccine and meningitis vaccine before coming. The proof of these vaccines is the yellow card, and you will need it in order to enter. Recommended travel vaccinations are just a good idea. At the Traveler Information Center of the CDC Web site, you can find out which vaccines, if any, you will be required to take and which are recommended. Some of these vaccines need to be given in two to three doses over the course of several months, so plan ahead.

In the United States, 26,800 cases of cancer each year can be traced to the human papillomavirus. Vaccination against it is already widespread enough to cut the rate of HPV infections among teenage girls by over half. More immunization could defeat it entirely.

Immunization services in Germantown, MD

All these vaccinations can be had at Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Manbir Takhar. Download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit to speed up the process of checking in. Make an appointment today.

Vaccinations safe, important

The facts on vaccination

Vaccination is a controversial subject. Here are some basic facts:

• All vaccines are extensively tested to be sure they are safe and effective. Most routine childhood vaccines are effective for 85% to 95% of of those who receive them.

• The stimulation of the immune system of an infant during the vaccination schedule is much less than it receives from being exposed to household bacteria over the same period.

• When you get a flu shot, you do so not just for your own sake, but that of everyone around you. Recently, an infant in Stanislaus County, California who was too young to be vaccinated died soon after contracting influenza. Pregnant women especially should get the vaccine.

Vaccines you may need booster shots for include MMR and DTap. These will ensure that you cannot contract these diseases or spread them to others. Varicella, or chickenpox, is another recommended booster shot. If you plan on traveling abroad, some countries require you to be vaccinated against yellow fever and meningitis. Hepatitis A and typhoid shots are also recommended. Check the website of the CDC for a list of recommended vaccinations.

Best place to get a vaccination in Germantown, MD

All these vaccinations can be had at Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Manbir Takhar. Bring your insurance card, a valid photo ID, a list of any medications you are taking and any other medical information you might want to have. Make an appointment today.

Flu shots and other vaccinations

That time of year again

Flu season is coming, which means the best time for your annual flu shot is now. The vaccine will protect not only you, but everyone you meet with, including those whose immune systems might not be as strong as yours. Pregnant women should make a particular point of getting the vaccine. They should ask for the shot, not than the intranasal vaccine.

The vaccine is safe and can be taken quickly. Even if it does not prevent the flu, it can lessen the symptoms of it, reducing your misery and letting you go back to work as soon as possible.

You can get a flu shot at many pharmacies, but there are other vaccinations you may need, or that you may need booster shots for. For these, you will want to go to a primary care facility.

Vaccines you may need booster shots for include the MMR vaccine and the DTap vaccine. These will ensure that you cannot contract these diseases or spread them to others. Varicella, or chickenpox, is another recommended booster shot. If you plan on traveling abroad, some countries require you to be vaccinated against yellow fever and meningitis. Hepatitis A and typhoid shots are also recommended. Check the website of the CDC for a list of recommended vaccinations.

Best place for vaccinations in Germantown, MD

All these vaccinations can be had at Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Manbir Takhar. Bring your insurance card, a valid photo ID, a list of any medications you are taking and any other medical information you might want to have. Make an appointment today.

Standard and travel vaccinations in Germantown, MD and Montgomery County

Why Do You Need Vaccinations?

Vaccinations help keep you healthy by protecting you against potentially life-threatening viruses. All of the standard vaccinations you will need are available at your Germantown, MD primary care clinic, as well as travel vaccinations, tests, allergy shots, and many other health services.

Types of Vaccinations

Standard vaccinations include the flu vaccine, which is given every year since the strain changes annually. They also include measles, rubella, mumps, typhoid, varicella, diphtheria, pertussis, Gardasil, also called HPV, and hepatitis A and B. Some of these shots are only administered once in a lifetime, with booster shots every ten years, while others, like HPV, are given as a series of three shots space out over the course of several months. Non-standard vaccinations include those for yellow fever, which is recommended before travel to Africa or South America.

Physicals

Immunizations are a part of all standard physicals. The annual, sports, pre-college, DoT, and immigration physical are offered at your local primary care clinic. When visiting the clinic for your first time, it is best to bring a copied record of your previous vaccinations, so staff members know what you may be missing.

Germantown Primary Care Associates

Germantown Primacy Care Associates is a primary care clinic in Germantown, MD serving patients in Montgomery County, Gaithersburg, Hyattstown, and Germantown. On staff is Dr. Manbir Takhar, Chief Medical Officer, since 2012, a position she held with Medical Access PC since 1999. You can count on Germantown Primary Care for all of your vaccination needs. 

Vaccinations in Germantown, MD and Montgomery County

Overview

Vaccinations are an essential part of living a healthy life, and are available at your local Germantown, MD and Montgomery County primary care clinic.

Standard Vaccinations

The following are standard vaccinations: yellow fever, varicella, typhoid, tetanus, meningitis, flu, Gardasil/HPV, diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, and rubella. Depending on the vaccine, you may only need to get it once or twice throughout your life, and may require booster shots as well. Other vaccines, like for the flu, are annual.

Specific Vaccinations

Proof of vaccination is required for many specific physicals, namely: immigration, DOT, sports, and pre-college physicals. Please note that a DOT medical exam is only valid for 24 months. Your Germantown and Montgomery County primary care clinic also offers international travel medical consults. You should visit the clinic 6 weeks or earlier before your travel, but no later than 2 weeks prior to travel. The visit will entail a discussion of your destination, the activities you plan to do, how long your trip will be, a review of your past vaccinations, and a discussion of the medically-related risks involved with your travel.

Your Clinic

Germantown Primacy Care Associates is a primary care clinic with a network of physicians and medical providers who are trained, specialized, and dedicated to your health and comfort. Notably, Dr. Manbir Takhar has been Germantown Primary Care Associate’s Chief Medical Officer since 2012, with a passion for medicine, and a dedication to service patients in the Germantown, MD and Montgomery County areas. 

Vaccinations all school children should get

Germantown Primary Care Associates provides all school vaccinations

One of the most important steps you can take to protect your child is to ensure their vaccination are up-to-date.  In Maryland, Germantown MD and Montgomery County, there are certain required vaccinations for school-age children.  The primary requirements are two doses of Varicella vaccine for entry into Kindergarten and first grade.  For entry into 7^th and 8^th grades, children are required to get one dose of TDaP vaccine and one dose of Meningococcal vaccine.  GermantownPrimary Care Associates and their medical providers can provide all necessary vaccinations. 

School vaccinations

The primary school age vaccinations are the TDaP, the HPV, the meningococcal vaccine, and the flu vaccine.  The TDaP vaccine protects against three serious diseases: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, which is also known as whooping cough. The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is used to help protect both girls and boys from cancers caused by HPV.  HPV vaccinations should be started and finished when children are 11 or 12 years old. The meningococcal vaccine protects against bacteria which causes meningitis.  Meningitis is a swelling of the lining around the spinal cord and brain.  The vaccine also helps protect against sepsis, which is an infection of the blood.  The flu vaccine protects against annual flu and the other health issues flu can cause, including pneumonia.

If a child has chronic health issues or is at a higher risk for a disease which may be prevented by vaccinations, your primary care provider at Germantown Primary Care Associates may recommend additional vaccine protection.   

Important vaccinations before you travel

Travel vaccinations you need before you go

Travel vaccinations help you stay healthy by protecting you against life-threatening diseases.  It is a good idea to start early since there may be several types of vaccinations required depending upon where you are traveling.   Some vaccinations require 2 to 3 doses which must be spaced out over several months.  You can schedule an appointment at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown MD to get everything you need before you travel.  There are three types of travel vaccinations: required, routine, and recommended. 

Required vaccinations for travel

Some countries require meningitis and yellow fever vaccinations before you will be able to cross their borders.     When you enter a country requiring one of these vaccinations, you must be able to show proof of recent vaccinations. 

Routine vaccinations for travel

Routine immunizations and vaccinations start at birth and then are updated as necessary throughout your lifetime.  When you attend your travel medicine appointment, bring your immunization record with you.  Our physicians can then determine if you need any booster vaccinations.   Routine vaccinations include polio, TDAP, Varicella, MMR, Rotavirus, Pneumonia, Hepatitis B, Meningitis and Hepatitis A. 

Recommended vaccinations for travel

Depending upon your destination, your age, health status and the details of your travel itinerary, there may be other vaccinations, including rabies, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, typhoid and polio that your Germantown Primary Care Associates travel physician will recommend. 

Get prepared

In Germantown MD, the physicians and medical staff at Germantown Primary Care Associates can provide advice and guidance on all travel vaccinations.  When you are ready to travel internationally, call Germantown Primary Care Associates for a travel medicine appointment and make sure you have all the necessary travel vaccinations.

Which vaccinations are important?

Why parents should get vaccinations for their children

There are confusing messages in the media about vaccinations.  First we are told that certain diseases have been eliminated because of vaccines, while at the same time we are warned that it is important to continue vaccinating our children, adults and the elderly.  The physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland will work with parents to provide the appropriate vaccinations to ensure their children are protected.  It is true that some diseases, such as diphtheria and polio are almost extinct in the United States because of vaccinations.  When we began vaccinating, these diseases killed many people.  While vaccinations have helped lower the incidence of these diseases, vaccines may not completely eradicate them.  Even if only a few cases of these diseases occur annually, anyone not vaccinated against the disease can become infected and then spread the disease to others.  If we stop the vaccinations, the disease will eventually return with the same intensity as before.

Vaccinations protect the future

When we vaccinate, it is not just to protect our children, but also our grandchildren and their grandchildren.  For example, we were able to completely eradicate smallpox within the United States with vaccinations and our children no longer need the smallpox vaccination.  Similarly, if we continue to vaccinate our children against diseases such as polio and meningitis, parents in the future may have the freedom of worrying about these diseases infecting, crippling or killing their children. Vaccinations are important to protecting the welfare of our children.  The physicians and healthcare providers at Germantown Primary Care Associates can provide all the vaccinations your children should have.

Important vaccinations for children

Why give certain vaccinations to our children?

Vaccinations can help prevent 12 potentially seriousdiseases in children.  These are mumps, measles, rubella or German measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, chicken pox, haemophilus influenza type b, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and pneumococcal disease.  There are several combination vaccines which can be given in a single vaccination, reducing the total number of shots required to completely vaccinate a child.  The primary care physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates will help you decide when the best time is to vaccinate your child.

How early should certain vaccinations be given?

Some of these diseases are much more serious if contracted by an infant or young child.  Others are common in childhood, so early vaccination helps develop immunity in children before they get the disease.  The recommended ages for certain vaccinations to be given are determined to provide the child the best and earliest protection against the disease.

How safe are these vaccinations?

These vaccinations are very safe, but just like any other medication, they may occasionally cause a reaction.  Most reactions are mild, such as a slightfever or a sore arm and while rare, more serious reactions can occur.  Most childhood vaccinations will give immunity to between 90 and 99 percent of the children who receive them.  Occasionally a child may not respond to a vaccination.   This is one of the reasons that is it important to vaccinate all children.  The child who did not respond to the vaccination by creating immunity will be depending upon the vaccinated children around her for protection.  It is best to discuss all of these details with your primary care physician at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland.

The primary care physicians at Germantown Primary Care Associates in Germantown, Maryland can provide the right vaccinations to protect your child.