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vaccines

Vaccines are a vital tool in reducing respiratory infections such as flu and pneumonia. They work by teaching the body’s immune system to identify and destroy harmful pathogens such as virus and bacteria.

Pulmonary Consultants of San Antonio offers patients the protection of several vaccines, including seasonal flu vaccine and Prevnar 13® vaccine, which protects against pneumonia. This vaccine can reduce the risk of potentially serious complications from pneumonia, including hospitalization and premature death, and is recommended for all adults who are 65 and older.

Click here to request an appointment or call us at 210-692-0361.

Questions & Answers

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are an essential component of preventive care. They teach your immune system to identify and destroy harmful invaders like viruses, bacteria, or fungi.

No vaccine is 100% effective, but it can reduce your risk of serious side effects, protect your loved ones, and the community as a whole.

How do vaccines work?

Most vaccines are administered via injection. When a vaccine enters your body, it causes your immune system to create antibodies –– proteins that fight off infection. It also primes the immune response of your cells, so they respond more quickly if you’re infected in the future.

Vaccines have different formulations, but they always expose you to a safe version of a disease. That can take various forms, including:

  • A protein or sugar from a pathogen
  • A dead or inactivated pathogen
  • A weakened pathogen
  • A toxoid containing toxins from a pathogen

Regardless of the underlying mechanism, all vaccines enhance your body’s natural immune response.

What types of vaccines are offered?

The team at Pulmonary Consultants of San Antonio offers several types of vaccines, including:

Seasonal flu vaccine

The flu vaccine protects you against the four most common types of influenza viruses. The flu virus evolves rapidly, so new vaccines are formulated twice a year.

Pulmonary Consultants of San Antonio recommends everyone get a flu shot. That’s especially true if you’re aged 65 or older or you have a weakened immune system.

Prevnar 13® vaccine

The Prevnar 13 vaccine protects against pneumococcal disease (pneumonia). This type of vaccine is recommended for all adults who are 65 and older. It can reduce your risk of potentially serious complications, including hospitalization and premature death.

Are vaccines safe?

Vaccines are safe and usually well-tolerated. Before any vaccine is released to the general public, it undergoes years of testing and review by regulatory bodies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

After you receive a vaccine, it’s normal to experience mild side effects like swelling, discomfort, or redness at the injection site. To relieve these and other symptoms, the team at Pulmonary Consultants of San Antonio recommends drinking plenty of water and taking over-the-counter pain medication.

GET IN TOUCH
210-692-0361
10007 Huebner Road, Bldg 4
San Antonio, TX 78240
FAX: 210-692-0151

OPENING HOURS
Monday: 8am-4:30pm
Tuesday: 8am-4:30pm
Wednesday: 8am-4:30pm
Thursday: 8am-4:30pm
Friday: 8am-4:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed