It’s September, and along with the start of fall comes the annual cold and flu season. This year, with COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to ensure you’re doing everything possible to stay healthy and strong.
At the offices of Beth and Howard Braver, MD, our care team is dedicated to helping patients in Aventura and Hollywood, Florida, weather the cold and flu season and stay healthy all year long by providing vaccinations to adults and children.
You probably know that children should get regular vaccines, but not everyone knows that vaccinations are a part of adult health care, too. Here’s what you need to know about vaccinations and whether your vaccines are up to date.
The world is waiting for a vaccine to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But it’s equally important to remember that other vaccines play an important role in protecting us from many serious diseases.
In the wake of COVID-19 and the shelter-in-place guidelines, many Florida children may have skipped their regularly scheduled vaccinations. In addition, some adults don’t realize that vaccinations don’t end with their childhood.
Many of the diseases for which vaccinations exist are far more contagious than COVID-19, and not staying up to date on your immunizations could mean a resurgence of illnesses we once thought were under control.
For example, the United Nations reports that over 117 million children may not receive the measles vaccine in time to stop a wide-reaching outbreak.
At Beth and Howard Braver, MD, we review your or your child’s medical history to recommend the vaccines you or your child needs. Here are some of the more common vaccinations along with their schedule to help you decide if you or your child is up to date.
Vaccines for children begin with a few months of birth and continue through adulthood. You can view the CDC’s recommended schedule for vaccinations and boosters from birth through age 18 to see when your child should receive the following:
Just because you're an adult, it doesn’t mean you’re free from vaccinations. Getting vaccinated is a lifelong preventive measure, yet about only 1 in 5 American adults is up to date. Here are some common adult vaccinations and when they should be administered:
Discuss your previous vaccinations as well as any you may have missed with us at Beth and Howard Braver, MD.
CDC guidelines state that every person 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year. Flu strains evolve over time, so the flu shot you got last year won’t protect you against this year’s virus.
Since hospitals and medical providers are stretched thin by COVID-19 this year, do your part to slow the spread of the flu. It takes around two weeks after you get a flu shot for your body to produce the antibodies that protect you from the flu virus.
And the longer your body has to produce antibodies before exposure to the virus, the better protected you are all flu season long. Try to get your flu vaccine in September or October to get the best protection.
Are you ready to find out if your vaccinations are up to date? Call us today or book online at one of our two offices. You can also schedule a telemedicine appointment to receive care from the comfort of your home.
