Category Archives: Vaccines

Pertussis. Whooping cough. What you should know…

Pertussis.  Whooping cough.  What you should know… Pertussis is also called whooping cough.  It continues to be a public health concern (with nearly 20 million infections worldwide yearly) despite there being an effective vaccine.  My husband got whooping cough years … Continue reading

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How well did the influenza vaccine do this year?

I know we are hyperfocused on our current pandemia and rightfully so. I recently came across an article discussing the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine for this past season. According to a Feb. 21 CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the current … Continue reading

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Are you older than 50? Get your Shingrix!

Are you older than 50?  Get your Shingrix! What is Shingrix?  It is the “new” shingles vaccine.  Shingrix, also called recombinant zoster vaccine, is a rockstar of vaccines. It decreases shingles infections For those 50-59 years, Shingrix decreases shingles by … Continue reading

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HPV

I took notes at the Nevada Family Medicine meeting when expert Dr. Trudy Larson spoke about HPV. Here are the take-home points… Who gets HPV? 80 % of adults have a strain of HPV. “HPV happens.” There are 40 subtypes … Continue reading

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How is the flu hitting your region? Nevada is in the RED!

How is the flu hitting your region? Nevada is in the RED!  (See the attached USA flu map of influenza-like activity for the week ending January 13, 2018) What can you do?  Get the flu vaccine.  Stay home if you … Continue reading

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There is a new shingles vaccine in town… and it’s great!

Theres a new shingles vaccine in town… and it’s great!  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)– the guru organization regarding immunizations– has just voted to recommend preferential use of a NEW shingles vaccine (Shingrix) instead of the currently available … Continue reading

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If you have heart disease you SHOULD GET A FLU VACCINE!

Okay, the capitals may have been too much… but studies have shown that the influenza vaccination may reduce death from cardiovascular disease. Observational studies have shown an association between receipt of the flu vaccine and a lower risk of cardiovascular … Continue reading

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Stop using nasal flu vaccine

In a stop-the-presses media blast, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee has voted to stop the use of the live attenuated influenza  (nasal flu) vaccine for this 2016-2017 flu season.   The recommendations state that “no live attenuated … Continue reading

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Three HPV vaccine types to choose from…

There are three HPV vaccines.  The vaccines cover a different number of HPV subtypes: One of them covers for two , one with four and the newest one that covers NINE subtypes.   The 9 subtype vaccine offers a small advantage over the quadrivalent (4) vaccine.  The added … Continue reading

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How long does the shingles vaccine stay effective?

… that depends on your health history. If you have an autoimmune disease, the protection against the shingles infection wanes about 5 years after receiving the shingles vaccine.  The most common autoimmune diseases in this research project was rheumatoid arthritis … Continue reading

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