By Dr. Dariano, D.O.
Despite the recent news and activity from antivaxxers, immunizations are critical at various steps of life. These immunizations start in the womb and go throughout adulthood. Getting vaccinations at specific times is critical to avoid contracting communicable, life-threatening, and other serious diseases.
It can be confusing to keep up with what vaccinations are due at what time, if you are not seeing a physician regularly. School’s will usually send out notices concerning what vaccinations children are due for and at what particular ages, but Rivers Family Medicine has mapped out an easy to understand immunization protocol via the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations. They prepare you and your family ahead of time to make sure you are safe and protected against harmful viruses and bacteria. These are available in their office to their patients. You can also visit cdc.gov/vaccinations.
Additionally, with the recent controversy about whether or not to vaccinate children, along with the majority, Rivers Family Medicine believes in vaccinated their patients. And since kids are preparing to head back into the classroom soon, man of those vaccinations should be given now.
According to the CDC, the following are the various types of immunity via immunizations:
Immunity to a disease is achieved through the presence of antibodies to that disease in a person’s system. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to neutralize or destroy toxins or disease-carrying organisms. Antibodies are disease-specific. For example, measles antibody will protect a person who is exposed to measles disease but will have no effect if he or she is exposed to mumps.
Active immunity results when exposure to a disease organism triggers the immune system to produce antibodies to that disease. Exposure to the disease organism can occur through infection with the actual disease (resulting in natural immunity), or introduction of a killed or weakened form of the disease organism through vaccination (vaccine-induced immunity). Either way, if an immune person comes into contact with that disease in the future, their immune system will recognize it and immediately produce the antibodies needed to fight it. Active immunity is long-lasting, and sometimes life-long.
Passive immunity is provided when a person is given antibodies to a disease rather than producing them through his or her own immune system. A newborn baby acquires passive immunity from its mother through the placenta. A person can also get passive immunity through antibody-containing blood products such as immune globulin, which may be given when immediate protection from a specific disease is needed. This is the major advantage to passive immunity; protection is immediate, whereas active immunity takes time (usually several weeks) to develop. However, passive immunity lasts only for a few weeks or months. Only active immunity is long-lasting.
If you’re child needs immunizations or if you think you’re due for a titer or booster, don’t hesitate, call your primary care physician to schedule an appointment.
Rivers Family Medicine continues to provide their patients with the highest quality of care; they are continually looking for innovative methods of working together with their patients to ensure that they are not only aware of but also involved in the management and improvement of their patient’s health.
Rivers Family Medicine welcomes Dr. Erin Dariano. Dr. Dariano has been practicing Family Medicine in Lima Ohio at Lima Memorial Hospital for the past seven years. Dr. Dariano, D.O, Completed her undergraduate degree at Bowling Green State University, and her medical degree at Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a board certified D.O., Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Dariano is committed to providing thorough, compassionate, mindful care for her patients.
To schedule an appointment with Rivers Family Medicine, please call (352) 205-4302.
Rivers Family Medicine
1503 Buenos Aires Boulevard, Building 110
The Villages, FL 32159