IMMUNIZATIONS

INFLUENZA (FLU)

An annual flu shot is your best protection against the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that flu shots may be given throughout the entire flu season. In Minnesota, flu season typically continues through March.

To schedule a Flu Shot clinic at your site, click here.

PNEUMONIA

Pneumococcal disease is a serious disease that causes much sickness and death.  Pneumococccal disease kills more people in the United States each year than all other vaccine-preventable diseases combined.  Anyone can get pneumococcal disease.  However, some people are at greater risk from the disease.  These include people 65 and older, the very young and people with special health problems such as alcoholism, heart or lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, HIV infection or certain types of cancer.

Pneumococcal disease can lead to serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood and the covering of the brain (meningitis).

Drugs such as penicillin were once effective in treating these infections; but the disease has become more resistant to these drugs, making treatment of pneumococcal infections more difficult. 

This makes prevention of the disease through vaccination even more important.

HEPATITIS A

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus found in the stool of an infected person. It is usually spread by close personal contact or by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated. This condition affects the liver and can cause mild flu-like illness, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes) and sever stomach pains and diarrhea. Symptoms usually lasts for less than two months, however, symptoms may continue on and off for up to 6 months. Although rare, hepatitis A can be fatal.

HEPATITS B

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that enters the body through contact with blood and bodily fluids of an infected person. The Hepatitis B virus can cause short-term (acute) illness that leads to loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting, tiredness, jaundice (yellow skin or eyes), pain in muscles, joints and stomach. It can also cause long-term (chronic) illness that leads to liver damage (cirrhosis), liver cancer and death. Sometimes an individual with Hepatitis B infection may have no symptoms at all.

SHINGLES

The shingles vaccination (Zostavax) is a vaccine used for adults to protect against shingles.  People who have had chickenpox or have had the chickenpox vaccine and are 60 years of age or older, are eligible to receive the vaccine.

 

TETANUS/DIPHTHERIA/PERTUSSIS

Tetanus (Lockjaw) is caused by a bacterium that enters the body through cuts, scratches or wounds.

Diphtheria is caused by a bacterium that enters the body through person to person contact.  This condition causes a thick covering in the back of the throat.  It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death.

For more information or to set up a clinic, contact MVNA.