Vaccinations

Staying up to date on your vaccinations is one of the easiest ways to preserve your health and well-being. At his private practice in Flossmoor, Illinois, board-certified internist Sameh Nabelsi, MD, offers vaccinations to adults. After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Nabelsi can develop a personalized immunization schedule. Call the office today to make a vaccination appointment, or book online.

What are vaccinations?

Vaccinations, or immunizations, teach your immune system to defend itself from harmful invaders, like viruses and bacteria. 

When a vaccine enters your bloodstream, it triggers the production of antibodies –– proteins that fight infection. Though no vaccine is entirely effective, keeping a vaccine schedule can significantly reduce your risk of severe outcomes, including hospitalization and premature death.

How do vaccinations work?

Vaccinations expose your immune system to a safe version of a disease. Depending on the immunization, this can take the form of:

• A live but weakened pathogen
• A modified toxin from a pathogen
• A dead or inactivated form of the pathogen
• A protein or sugar from a pathogen

Most vaccines are administered via injection, but some come in a nasal spray form. Some vaccinations require one initial shot and then a series of follow-up “boosters”.

What are some common vaccinations?

Dr. Nabelsi administers a wide range of vaccinations to adults. He may recommend:

• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus (RSV)
• Influenza
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• Varicella
• Hepatitis A
• COVID-19
• Pneumococcal
• Herpes zoster (shingles)

People can also access the vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP).

Are vaccinations safe?

Vaccinations are safe and usually well-tolerated. Before being released to the public, immunizations undergo years of testing and review by regulatory authorities, like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

After getting a vaccine, it’s normal to have redness, mild swelling, and increased sensitivity at the injection site. Any discomfort should improve within a day or two, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, contact Dr. Nabelsi. 

Will vaccinations keep me from getting sick?

Vaccinations won’t necessarily keep you from getting sick, but they can reduce the severity of the illness and help speed up your recovery. 

Not only that, but getting vaccinated protects your friends, family members, and vulnerable members of the community. By keeping a vaccination schedule, you can help protect infants, elderly people, and the immunocompromised.

How do I prepare for vaccinations?

Vaccinations don’t require any special preparation. But, Dr. Nabelsi recommends eating a balanced meal and drinking a glass of water before your appointment. Some people feel nauseous or lightheaded around needles, but good nutrition and hydration can help combat that. 

Call the practice of Sameh Nabelsi, MD, today and request a vaccination consultation or make your appointment online.