Vaccinations

What are vaccinations?

A vaccination is an injection of a biological substance that builds your natural immunity to prevent you from contracting or spreading communicable diseases. Many vaccines contain a small amount of a dead or weakened virus. Once injected into your body, the virus triggers your immune response.

Your immune system is your body’s natural defense mechanism. When it recognizes pathogens and other potentially harmful substances, it sends antibodies — a protective type of protein — to fight off the threat. 

The virus inside the vaccine is just enough to stimulate your natural immunity and build antibodies against the infectious disease. When you come in contact with the same virus in the future, your immune system already has the antibodies it needs to protect your health. 

Why do I need vaccinations?

Vaccines protect you from potentially life-threatening diseases like polio. They also prevent communicable diseases from spreading to others within your own community. A virus can’t infect humans without a host, so the fewer hosts it finds, the less it spreads. 

Since the United States introduced the polio vaccine in 1955, the country has been polio-free. This single vaccine alone has saved tens of millions of lives worldwide.

By staying up to date with your vaccine schedule, you can minimize your risk of contracting potentially life-threatening diseases while protecting those around you from illness.

What are the most common types of vaccinations?

Dr. Tun performs all standard vaccines that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends, including:

• Flu (influenza)
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Diphtheria
• Hib (haemophilus influenzae type b)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Measles
• Meningococcal
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Mumps
• Rubella (German measles)
• Pneumococcal
• Shingles (herpes zoster)
• Tetanus (lockjaw)
• Whooping Cough (pertussis)
• Polio 
• Rotavirus

Dr. Tun also offers the COVID-19 vaccine to patients at his New York City offices.

How often do I need vaccinations?

Most people start receiving their standard vaccines shortly after birth. Some vaccines require two doses, while others need four to remain effective. Many vaccines also require booster shots as you age. Others, like the flu vaccine, are annual shots you receive to target different virus strains.

To learn more about vaccinations, call Jeffrey Tun, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.