The fall season is upon us, and that always brings with it a season of sickness. Now is a good time to make sure you are up-to-date on all of your preventative vaccines so you can avoid as much illness as possible. When you are sick, you miss out on work, family time, and you feel just plain crummy! In today’s post, we’ll look at some common vaccines that you need to make sure you are caught up on to ensure you are living the healthiest life possible.
Keep the harmful viruses at bay this year and schedule a checkup with Men’s Vitality Center. We are Tucson’s leading health clinic for men, and we want to make sure you don’t miss out on anything this year. Give our friendly staff a call to set up your next appointment. We will make sure your vaccines are current and make sure you are in peak condition for the coming year. We look forward to hearing from you!
Flu Vaccine
The flu vaccine is one of the only shots that you need to receive yearly. Since the flu virus is constantly changing and adapting, we work with a dead, quadrivalent vaccine to make sure that you do not come down with the flu. This vaccine is important for men to get so that you can avoid the flu, especially when you work around others who may choose not to get vaccinated.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
The tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TdAP) vaccine is generally administered every five to 10 years. If you are going to become a father within the next year or if you have young children in your home, you can receive a booster shot to make sure that you and your family are covered from all of these serious diseases. When you come in for your checkup, your doctor at Men’s Vitality Center will make sure that your most recent TdAP shot was within the last five to 10 years. If it was not, our staff will recommend you receive your updated vaccine.
Meningococcal (Meningitis) Vaccine
This vaccine is usually administered to teenagers and young men. This is because boys are at a higher risk of contracting meningitis, which is a dangerous inflammation in the lining of the brain and spinal cord which can be life threatening. If your sons are in college or planning on going to any winter camps, it’s a good idea to make sure they are vaccinated. If you were not vaccinated as a young man, be sure to ask about this injection at your next appointment to ensure you are covered.
Hepatitis A and B
The hepatitis B vaccine is a standard inoculation that is administered at birth in most cases. However, if you did not receive this vaccine, or your vaccine was ineffective, we are able to administer this vaccine to you in a series of three injections. Hepatitis A is not required, but it is important for patients traveling to international destinations, specifically Mexico. This series of two inoculations can be easily started at your next health checkup.
Human Papillomavirus
There are over 100 varieties of human papillomavirus (HPV), and this vaccine will help prevent contracting them. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), and it can be passed through skin-to-skin or sexual contact. If you are sexually active, this vaccine could help to prevent warts and other health issues in the genitals, mouth, and throat. In some extreme cases, HPV can even cause cancer. Sometimes, you may not experience any issues if you have HPV, but you can still pass it to others. Intercourse isn’t required to pass this disease, so it is smart to get vaccinated in most cases.
Pneumococcal 23-Valent Vaccine
Pneumococcal disease is an infection that can infect the sinuses and inner ear. This vaccine is primarily suggested for men with asthma, respiratory diseases, and some immune diseases. If you have these conditions and have not received this vaccine yet, get in touch with us and we can make sure you receive the care you need.
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella
This is another standard vaccine that is given at birth in the United States. But if you were not immunized or your immunization was not effective, Men’s Vitality Center can administer your measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in a series of two inoculations. This vaccine is especially important if you are planning to become a father.
Travel Vaccines
If you are traveling overseas, your doctor may suggest some additional vaccines. Common vaccines for travelers include:
- Yellow fever vaccine
- Typhoid vaccine
- Polio vaccine
Talk with your physician to find out which vaccines would be best for your travel destinations. We want you to be safe from disease, no matter where in the world you go!
With the exception of measles, mumps, and rubella, all of the vaccines that Men’s Vitality Center offers are dead vaccines, and we use single-dose vials and syringes to keep you protected. Most vaccines are at least partially covered by insurance plans, but some travel vaccines are not always covered. Check with your insurance company and our doctors to see what your coverage is. If you have any questions about our vaccines, need to schedule your next checkup, or want to make sure you are up-to-date, give our Tucson staff a call today! We want to make sure you can avoid as much illness as possible and live a happy, healthy life.