Immunizations and Flu Shots in Lakeland, Florida

As a one-stop immunizations and flu shots center in Lakeland, Florida, we offer the vaccines necessary to protect patients from potential dangers abroad such as malaria and Hepatitis as well as seasonal ailments that hit closer to home like influenza viruses. Whether it’s for a last-minute immunization before school starts or a preventive flu shot, Sunshine Urgent Care has you covered.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

Travel Immunizations
Flu Shots
MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella)
DTaP
Td boosters
Polio
Hepatitis B
Varicella (chickenpox)
HIB (Haemophilus Influenza Type B)

Travel Immunizations

Whether you’re traveling for a holiday or for business it might be in your best interest to get some travel immunizations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), visiting another country can put you at risk for diseases that may not normally be found in the US.

The most effective things you can do to ensure your health while abroad is to get immunized and vaccinated against certain diseases and illnesses. At least a month before your trip, try to get the immunizations you need. Most immunizations need time to fully become helpful at warding off illness.

Flu Shots

The flu virus is an extremely contagious respiratory ailment that causes mild to severe illness. In severe cases, the flu can lead to death. The best way to prevent contracting influenza (commonly referred to as the flu) is by getting vaccinated.

Typically, a vaccination for influenza is recommended between the months of September and November; the flu virus peaks around late December and early March.

Some people may be at an increased risk for flu complications. This includes the elderly, young, or people that suffer from certain health maladies.

It's important to consult with your physician before receiving the flu vaccine if you are:

Pregnant
Allergic to chicken, or eggs
Have ever reacted to a prior flu vaccine
Have an active neurologic disorder
Are currently ill
Have received another type of vaccine within the last 14 days

MMR Vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella)

Used to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella, the MMR vaccine is recommended for children and adults alike. Kids should get two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose should be at 12 to 15 months of age; the second dose should be administered at 4 to 6 years of age. It is suggested that teens and adults be up to date with this important vaccination.

According to the CDC, 1 dose of the MMR vaccine is about 97% effective against rubella, 93% effective against measles, and 78% effective against mumps. Two doses are 97% effective against measles and 88% effective against mumps.

DTaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis

A number of ailments including diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis can be protected with the DTaP vaccine.

According to the CDC:

Diphtheria (D) can cause breathing problems, paralysis and heart failure.
Tetanus (T) causes severe constricting of the muscles.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) causes coughing spells so bad that it is hard for infants and children to eat, drink, and even breathe.

Children typically should receive 5 doses of vaccine, 1 dose at each of the following ages:

2 months
4 months
6 months
15 to 18 months
4 to 6 years

Td (Tetanus, Diphtheria) boosters

A Td vaccine can protect adolescents and adults from tetanus and diphtheria. Td is usually given as a booster dose every 10 years but it can also be given earlier after a severe and dirty wound or burn.

While these diseases are rare in the United States today, people who do become infected often suffer severe complications. The Td vaccine is used to protect adolescents and adults from both of these diseases.

Tetanus can cause painful muscle tightening and stiffness. This usually occurs all over the body. It can even lead to the tightening of muscles in the head and neck so you can’t open your mouth (hence its nickname, lockjaw), swallow, or sometimes even breathe.

Diphtheria can lead to breathing problems, heart failure, paralysis, and even, in some cases, death.

Polio

Polio (poliomyelitis) is a crippling and deadly disease caused by the poliovirus. The virus spreads from person to person and can invade an infected person’s spinal cord and brain. This disease causes paralysis.

CDC recommends that children get 4 doses of polio vaccine. They should get 1 dose at each of the following ages:

2 months old
4 months old
6 through 18 months old
4 through 6 years old

Almost all children, 99 out of 100, that get all the recommended doses of the polio vaccine will be protected from polio.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure, and death.

In 2016, a total of 3,218 cases of acute hepatitis B were reported to CDC. Since many people may not have symptoms, their illness is often not diagnosed. The CDC estimates that the actual number of acute hepatitis B cases in 2016 was above 20,000.

People can become infected with the virus from:

Birth (spread from an infected mother)
Sex (with an infected partner)
Sharing needles
Sharing items toiletries
Direct contact with the blood or open sores of an infected person

Varicella (or chickenpox)

Caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Chickenpox is a very contagious disease. It creates a blister-like rash, tiredness, as well as a fever. Each year there are about 4 million chickenpox cases.

The CDC recommends two doses of the chickenpox vaccine for children, adolescents, and adults. Children under age 13 years should get two doses:

First dose at age 12 through 15 months
Second dose at age 4 through 6 years

HIB (Haemophilus Influenza Type B)

HIB vaccines are highly effective in preventing invasive HIB disease. This disease was once a leading cause of bacterial meningitis among U.S. children under the age of 5. Every year roughly 20,000 young kids get invasive HIB disease; 1,000 died.

It's recommended that the HIB vaccination be given to all children under the age of 5 in the U.S.

Sunshine Urgent Care Offers Immunizations and Flu Shots in Lakeland, Florida

Sunshine Urgent Care provides comprehensive medical services and urgent care in Lakeland, Florida. Offering immunizations and flu shots in Lakeland to protect patients from potential medical ailments abroad and at home.