Adult Immunizations

Staying current with adult immunizations reduces your risk of contagious illnesses like COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. At Loomis Medical Clinic in Loomis, California, our team administers adult immunizations to people 18 and older. Whether you’re getting ready to travel abroad or need to update a booster, our team can help. To learn more about vaccines or determine if you’re up to date on your immunizations, call Loomis Medical Clinic to schedule an appointment today.

Adult and pediatric immunizations both teach the immune system how to identify and defend itself against harmful invaders like viruses and bacteria. The difference is that adult immunizations are formulated for people 18 and older, while pediatric immunizations are formulated for children.

Following an adult vaccine schedule reduces your risk of contagious illnesses. It also protects the health of your family and your community. Immunizations don’t necessarily guarantee you won’t get sick, but they reduce the risk of severe complications like hospitalization and death.

How do adult immunizations work?

Adult immunizations train your immune system to fight back against potentially harmful pathogens. More specifically, they expose you to a:

• Live but weakened version of a pathogen
• Protein or sugar from a pathogen
• Dead or inactivated form of a pathogen
• Modified toxin from a pathogen

When your immune system comes into contact with one of these substances, it creates antibodies –– proteins that defend you from infection. These antibodies help clear the infection from your system, protecting your health and the health of those around you.

Which adult immunizations will I need?

Our providers at Loomis Medical Clinic develop adult immunization schedules based on your health history and lifestyle. You might only need one or two immunizations or several if you often leave the country for work and leisure. It also depends on what immunizations you had as a child — for example, if you never received a vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella, you can get it as an adult.

Common adult immunizations include:

• COVID-19 vaccine
• Seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine
• Shingles vaccine
• Tetanus boosters
• Pneumococcal vaccine
• Meningococcal B vaccine
• Yellow fever vaccine
• Typhoid fever vaccine

Everyone has different immunization needs, so make sure to let your provider know about your lifestyle, general health, and travel habits.

Are adult immunizations safe?

Adult immunizations are safe and usually well-tolerated. After receiving a vaccine, it’s normal to experience mild side effects like bruising, redness, and sensitivity at the injection site. You might also develop flu-like symptoms for 24-48 hours. Get plenty of rest, take an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen, and stay hydrated.

Contact our team if your symptoms last any longer than a day or two.

Do adult immunizations increase my risk of future health problems?

No. Adult immunizations undergo extensive testing and review by regulatory authorities, like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), before being released to the general public. Some people experience allergic reactions, but this is very rare.

To schedule an adult vaccination consultation, call Loomis Medical Clinic today.