Immunizations

Staying current on your immunizations can reduce your risk of contagious illness and protect your loved ones and the community as a whole. At Collin Medical and Wellness Group in McKinney, Texas, family medicine specialist Adebukola Obasanya, DNP, and her team offer immunizations to people of all ages, from infants to senior citizens. Call the office today to request an immunization appointment, or book your visit online.

Are immunizations and vaccinations the same thing?

Yes. Immunizations, also known as vaccinations, train your immune system to identify and eliminate harmful invaders, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites. 

After an immunization enters your body, it triggers the production of antibodies –– special proteins that defend against infection.

How do immunizations work?

Immunizations work by exposing your immune system to a safe version of a disease. This can take the form of a:

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

Most immunizations are administered via injection, but some come in nasal spray form. Certain immunizations require boosters (additional doses) that help bolster your immune system’s defenses.

Which immunizations do I need?

The Collin Medical and Wellness Group team creates a custom immunization schedule based on your age, medical history, and needs. They might recommend one or more of the following vaccines:

• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus (RV)
• Seasonal flu (influenza)
• Pneumonia
• Shingles
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (DTaP)
• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV13
• Inactivated polio vaccine
• Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
• COVID-19

Childhood vaccines are often administered together. In certain cases,  immunizations require a series of injections several weeks or months apart.

Are immunizations safe?

Immunizations are safe, well-tolerated, and present few risks.

Before a new vaccine gets released to the public, it undergoes years of testing by regulatory authorities like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

After you’re vaccinated, it’s normal to have mild redness or bruising and increased sensitivity at the injection site, but these symptoms should improve within a day or two.

Rarely, vaccinations trigger an allergic reaction. Make sure to let the Collin Medical and Wellness Group team know if you or members of your family have allergies.

Can immunizations keep me from getting sick?

Getting vaccinated won’t necessarily keep you from getting sick, but it can reduce the risk of severe complications, such as hospitalization or premature death.

Still, it’s one of the easiest and most affordable ways to protect your health and the community at large. 

Call Collin Medical and Wellness Group today to request an immunization appointment, or book your visit online.